CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – SpaceX had a successful launch of its Falcon 9 rocket this morning, but a planned attempt to vertically land the booster on a barge failed. The Dragon capsule is bringing 5,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station and its six astronauts. The company’s founder, Elon Musk, said the 14-story tall first stage of the rocket made it to the platform floating east of Jacksonville, Fla., but the booster came down too hard and broke apart. The company is trying the soft landing so the rocket can be re-used. (Sources: multiple, including AP via Yahoo News, CBSNews, NBCNews, National Geographic, 01/10/14) Note: SpaceX plans to test its newest rocket engine at Stennis Space Center, Miss.
