Space Station

A towering white rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla. and sped toward the International Space Station in a resupply mission that heralds a new era for NASA. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:35 p.m. PDT Sunday from Space Launch Complex 40, carrying a Dragon capsule packed with 1,000 pounds of food, experiments and supplies. The spacecraft is expected to reach the space station Wednesday. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX, is aiming to become the first private company to resupply the space station on a contracted mission for NASA.

The first launch of a private spaceship to the International Space Station has been delayed more than a week so engineers can test hardware and software, as well as review data. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX, was slated to blast off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Monday in a demonstration flight for NASA. The launch date, which has been pushed back several times already, is now set for May 7. "After reviewing our recent progress, it was clear that we needed more time to finish hardware-in-the-loop testing and properly review and follow up on all data," SpaceX spokeswoman Kirstin Brost Grantham said in statement.

SpaceX's cone-shaped space capsule performed a series of delicate maneuvers in outer space that proved to NASA officials that it was ready to move in for its historic docking attempt with the International Space Station. The hookup was scheduled to occur after 11 p.m. PDT Thursday. "We're looking good across the board," John Couluris, SpaceX lead mission director, said in a Thursday news briefing. SpaceX, officially named Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is aiming to become the world's first private firm to dock a craft with the space station.

The Dragon capsule is one with the International Space Station. On Wednesday morning, the historic SpaceX mission successfully completed the phase in which the cargo-loaded spacecraft berthed at the station. NASA's SpaceX live blog followed the excitement: "Dragon is GO for capture! ... Capture is confirmed!" Station commander Sunita Williams orchestrated the moves from inside the station. As the Los Angeles Times reported early this morning: A series of delicate maneuvers preceded the historic Dragon docking . The operation is key to NASA's outsourcing of missions to private companies, which are filling a hole created by the retirement of the agency's space shuttles.

SpaceX has delayed its historic rocket launch to the International Space Station yet again. The launch date, which has been pushed back several times already, is now set for May 19. The company, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., was slated to blast off May 7 from Cape Canaveral , Fla., in a demonstration flight for NASA . Three or four days after launch, the company is set to make history if it docks with...