Space Capsule Reaches Milestone

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A private rocket blasted off Friday on a supply run to the International Space Station. The unmanned Falcon rocket is owned by the SpaceX company. The Dragon capsule on board is filled with more than a ton of space station supplies and experiments. NASA is paying SpaceX to deliver cargo to the space station, and bring back science samples and other goods. This will be the company’s third delivery mission.

SpaceX's unmanned spacecraft approached the international space station for a historic docking Friday after sailing through a practice run a day earlier.

The Dragon space capsule launched by US company SpaceX was within 350 meters (yards) of the International Space Station early Friday on a test maneuver ahead of a high-stakes berthing bid."The Dragon spacecraft is inside 350 meters from the International Space Station and approaching the 250 meter point for demonstration maneuvers," NASA said in a statement."Dragon will demonstrate retreat and hold maneuvers before moving to within 220 meters of the station."

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.

After performing a series of delicate maneuvers above the Earth, SpaceX's cone-shaped Dragon capsule moved in Wednesday for a historic docking with the International Space Station.

Less than 24 hours after a historic docking, astronauts aboard the International Space Station clambered into SpaceX's unmanned Dragon spacecraft and began unloading supplies that were packed inside.

SpaceX's cone-shaped space capsule performed a series of delicate maneuvers around the International Space Station that proved to NASA officials that it's ready to move in for a historic docking attempt.