SpaceX Falcon rocket blasts off from Florida

2014-09-21 37

An unmanned Falcon 9 rocket blasts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to deliver equipment and supplies for science experiments to the International Space Station.

Ten minutes later the Dragon cargo capsule on top of the rocket was released. It's the beginning of a two day journey to the space station.

On board are 20 live mice -- the first mammals to fly aboard the Dragon, as part of a new rodent research program on ISS.

There's also what will be the first 3-D printer in space; and an instrument to improve hurricane forecasts.

The mission was delayed one day because of poor weather. It's the fourth of 12 by SpaceX under a $1.6 billion NASA contract.

Last week, SpaceX won a second NASA contract, worth up to $2.6 billion, to upgrade and fly its Dragon capsules for astronauts - and potentially paying tourists as well.

Dragon is due to reach the space station at 1104 GMT on Tuesday