Bolden: SpaceX Is "What Lindbergh Was To Commercial Aviation"

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (pictured) praised SpaceX on its successful launch Wednesday of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon demonstration COTS vehicle which is slated to begin carrying cargo to ISS next year.

"While rocket launches from the Cape are considered a common occurrence, the historic significance of today's achievement by SpaceX should not be lost," Bolden said in a statement. "This is the first in a new generation of commercial launch systems that will help provide vital support to the International Space Station and may one day carry astronauts into orbit. This successful demonstration flight is an important milestone in meeting the objectives outlined by President Obama and Congress, and shows how government and industry can leverage expertise and resources to foster a new and vibrant space economy. These new explorers are to spaceflight what Lindbergh was to commercial aviation."

The Falcon 9 launch is part of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/cots, www.spacex.com