Hawthorne-Based SpaceX's Dragon Delivers Cargo to Space Station

The supply run to the International Space Station is the first of 12 for the private space flight company

A half-ton of supplies arrived at the International Space Station early Wednesday aboard Hawthorne-based SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule -- the first delivery by the private space flight company under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA.

Dragon linked with the International Space Station about 250 miles above the Pacific Ocean, just west of Baja California, two days after its launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla. A robot arm extended from the orbiting station and latched on to Dragon.

"Looks like we've tamed the Dragon,'' said space station commander Sunita Williams. "We're happy she's on board with us."

The supply run into space brought groceries, clothes, science experiments and other gear to the space station's three astronauts from America, Russia and Japan. The NASA-SpaceX contract calls for 12 shipments.

The private company's space station runs began after the retirement of NASA's shuttles, including Endeavour. The shuttle, built at Rockwell International in Palmdale, will be moved to the California Science Center Friday and Saturday to become part of a museum exhibit.

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