Coming after its first successful docking mission with the International Space Station, this marks the first time that a commercial spacecraft will be docking with the International Space Station with cargo.
Tuesday's launch marks the culmination of six years of preparation to bring commercial flights to the space station following the retirement of NASA's space shuttle fleet last year.
This marks the second successful commercial resupply to the International Space Station.
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From there, the capsule will be processed and most of its cargo delivered to NASA. This marks the first successful cargo mission to and from the International Space Station by a commercial spaceflight company.
Watch the world's first ever commercial spacecraft to visit the International Space Station make its journey from the comfort of your chair, train or car ride -- whatever, just as long as it's not you driving.
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Their idea is being submitted to the US space agency (Nasa), which is seeking commercial solutions to take astronauts to and from the space station following the retirement of the shuttles later this year.
Thanks to Elon Musk blazing a trail for commercial space with SpaceX, private spaceships have already docked with the International Space Station.
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The hookups with U.S. commercial spacecraft would have to be cleared with the Russians and the other partners in the space station effort, and Russian officials have said they need solid safety assurances about the commercial operations before giving the go-ahead.
Additionally, the SLS will serve as a back up for commercial and international partner transportation services to the International Space Station.
Branson may also announce that Virgin Galactic is reviving plans for a satellite-launching service, possibly spurred on by the commercial SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which successfully docked with the International Space Station earlier this year.
An official of an association representing commercial space flight contractors hailed the new strategy of government encouragement for commercial companies to develop systems for transporting astronauts and cargo to the space station.
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SpaceX successfully launched its commercial rocket today marking the first time a private company has sent a spacecraft to the space station.
While the International Space Station is currently the only orbiting space tourist destination, other extended stay commercial spaceflight opportunities could exist in the future, the authors wrote.
Inside the Dragon is 1, 673 pounds of cargo from the station to be delivered to NASA as part of the contract between the space agency and the commercial space company.
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