Falcon 9 Reaches Orbit in Debut

摘要

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Corp.'s Falcon 9 rocket soared into orbit in its June 4 debut lofting a prototype cargo capsule and boosting the hopes of NASA's controversial commercial spaceflight initiative.rnAfter months of delay, a prolonged countdown and a last-second launch abort, the two-stage liquid oxygen- and kerosene-fueled rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 2:45 p.m. EDT. Only 1 hour and 15 minutes earlier, the launch was halted just before the countdown clock hit zero.