<p>Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX, successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket into space on Sunday as part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station. </p><br /><p>SpaceX is now the first private company to fly to the International Space Station and the mission is part of a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to deliver supplies.</p><br /><p>The Falcon 9 rocket's Dragon space capsule will deliver 1,000 pounds of food, clothing, supplies and science gear to the Station.</p><br /><p>If the mission is successful, SpaceX will restore a U.S. supply line to the station that was cut off by the retirement of the space shuttles last year. </p><br /><p>Since then, NASA has been dependent on Russian, European and Japanese freighters to service the station, a permanently staffed research laboratory that flies about 250 miles above Earth.</p><br /><p>SpaceX is one of two firms hired by NASA to deliver cargo to the station. Its other contractor, Orbital Sciences Corp., on October 1 rolled out its first Antares rocket to a new launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia, for an engine test-firing slated for this month or early November.</p>
