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Private Rocket Successfully Puts Satellite In Orbit For The First Time

It may not be as exciting as the Apollo 11, but I do find exciting that SpaceX has put a commercial satellite in orbit for the first time, launching a Falcon I rocket from the Marshall Islands.

SpaceX launched a Malaysian satellite into orbit using the two-stage Falcon, a rocket developed and built from scratch by the company. The satellite, called RazakSAT, is designed to take high resolution pictures of Malaysia.

If all goes as planned, SpaceX will soon deliver material to the International Space Station in the future. [SpaceX]

Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)

  • Ben

    Brave New World people, this is the future. A commercial entity will always be more efficient than a government department. The government (NASA and the like) should invest in exploration (manned or unmanned) and leave the exploitation of the discoveries to commercial entities that will then be taxed to repay the exploration costs. Bring it on.

  • matt

    yeah, good to see that anyone with a bit of money can get into it now, cause I’ve all but given up hope that NASA is ever going to do anything interesting again. the only thing the 40th anniversary of the moon landing symbolizes is how little we’ve come since.

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