Dragon Over the Rocky Mountains

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

SpaceX Dragon Detached from ISS

SpaceX's Dragon space capsule is detached from its docking port on the International Space Station on May 31, 2012 ahead of the spacecraft's return to Earth to end its first voyage to the orbiting lab.

SpaceX Dragon Attaches to the ISS

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Monitoring Dragon's Approach

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Dragon Space Station Departure

The Dragon capsule is shown here on space station cameras, attached to the station's robotic arm after it is disconnected from the orbiting laboratory to end its five-day stay.

Andre Kuipers Inside Dragon Capsule

This view of European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 31 flight engineer, is among the first set of imagery from the crew showing the freshly opened SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This image was released May 28, 2012.

Dragon's Golden Gate

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

SpaceX's Dragon at Space Station

NASA astronauts Don Pettit (right) and Joe Acaba (left) with European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andre Kuipers wave from inside SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, now attached to the International Space Station

Astronauts Inside SpaceX's Dragon Capsule

NASA astronaut Don Pettit (left) and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko pose for a photo after entering SpaceX's Dragon capsule on the International Space Station for the first time on May 26, 2012.

Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko Floats Inside SpaceX Dragon

An internal camera captures the view inside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, the first commercial spacecraft to link up with the International Space Station, as Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko floats inside.

Inside of the Dragon Module

Interior view of the dragon module. SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Dragon Spacecraft Berthing ISS

With darkness, Earth's horizon and thin line of atmosphere forming a backdrop, the SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International Space Station. This image was taken May 25, 2012.

The Gate to the Dragon's Lair

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Approach to 10 Metres

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

SpaceX Dragon Approaches the ISS

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station on May 25, 2012 for grapple and berthing.

SpaceX Dragon Approaches the ISS

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International Space Station. This image was taken May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon Approaches the ISS

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station on May 25, 2012 for grapple and berthing.

Maneuvering Dragon to the Docking Port

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Soyuz Reflected in one of Dragon's Solar Panels

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Astronauts Enter SpaceX's Dragon Capsule

NASA astronaut Don Pettit (in green shirt) opens the hatch to SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, the first commercial spacecraft to berth with the International Space Station, on May 26, 2012.

The Target for the Final Maneuver

The Dragon spacecraft identifies the ISS. SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Dragon Attached to ISS

The Dragon capsule is attached to the International Space Station on May 25, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Berthing ISS

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Another View of Dragon at the ISS

A different camera angle shows the Dragon capsule as it is held by the Canadarm2 of the ISS, May 25, 2012.

Teamwork in the Cupola During Dragon Approach

SpaceX's Dragon unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on May 25, 2012, the first commercial vehicle to do so. Photo taken by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers.

Dragon and ISS with Earth's Limb

Dragon capsule attached to the Canadarm2 floats with the Earth's limb in the background, May 25, 2012.

Dragon Capsule on Canadarm2

Dragon capsule was captured by the Canadarm2 of the International Space Station on May 25, 2012.

Dragon Capsule Captured by ISS

SpaceX's Dragon capsule was captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, Friday, May 25, 2012.

Dragon Closing in on International Space Station

Dragon capsule floats on the doorstep of the ISS, almost ready for capture, May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Mission Control Celebrating Dragon Capture

Employees of SpaceX inside their mission control room celebrate the successful capture of the Dragon spacecraft by the ISS on Friday, May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon at ISS: Over Morocco

SpaceX's Dragon space capsule flies over the coast of Morocco in this camera view taken from the International Space Station as the capsule approached on May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon Spotted in ISS Cameras

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (bright light) is seen in cameras mounted to the exterior of the space station during its first flyby in this still from a NASA broadcast on May 24, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon at ISS: Space Station in Sight

SpaceX's Dragon capsule sees the International Space Station in a thermal imager in this view taken from the unmanned commercial spacecraft during historic rendezvous demonstrations on May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon at ISS: Colorful Clouds

This spectacular view shows SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (left) with clouds on Earth as a colorful backdrop as seen by cameras on the International Space Station during the capsule's approach on May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon ISS Flyby Photo

This view of SpaceX's first Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station was captured by Expedition 31 astronauts during the capsule's first flyby on May 24, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Nearing ISS

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for a series of tests to clear it for its final rendezvous and grapple the next day. This image was taken on May 24, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Nearing ISS

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for a series of tests to clear it for its final rendezvous and grapple the next day. This image was taken on May 24, 2012.

SpaceX Chief Elon Musk Celebrates Launch Success

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk smiles after the successful launch of SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule launch to the International Space Station on May 22, 2012. Musk watched the Florida launch from SpaceX's mission control in California.

Dragon Spacecraft Nearing ISS

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for a series of tests to clear it for its final rendezvous and grapple the next day. This image was taken on May 24, 2012.

Thermal Image of Earth Taken by Dragon

SpaceX tweeted this image taken by the Dragon capsule in orbit on May 22, 2012. The company wrote: "Earth as seen by a thermal imager that Dragon will use in its approach to the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/jxv6t3et."

SpaceX Dragon Spreads Wings

View from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array panels in the process of deploying after launch on May 22, 2012.

Dragon Solar Panels Deploy

View from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array panels in the process of deploying. Image released May 22, 2012.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Second Stage Engine

This view shows a bright red second stage engine on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, as the booster launches the unmanned Dragon capsule into orbit on May 22, 2012.

Elon Musk and Cheering SpaceX Employees

SpaceX founder Elon Musk stands before cheering SpaceX employees at their Los Angeles facility following the successful launch of their Falcon 9 rocket on May 22, 2012.

SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon Launch Trajectory to ISS

This still from a SpaceX webcast shows the planned trajectory of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the first Dragon capsule to the International Space Station on May 22, 2012.

Second Stage View on SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket

This photo shows the view from SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket's second stage looking down at the launch pad. The booster successfully carried the Dragon capsule into orbit on May 22, 2012.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch

On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Space Launch Complex-40 is ablaze as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on May 22, 2012.

Falcon 9 & Dragon Launch Crowd

Launch spectators cheer on the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft shortly after liftoff on May 22, 2012.

Falcon 9 Arcs Through the Sky

SpaceX tweeted this photo of the Falcon 9 launch on May 22, 2012. The company wrote: "Incredible shot of Falcon 9 launch (photo credit: James Fink) pic.twitter.com/M97rrNfY."

Space Launch Complex-40 is Ablaze

On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Space Launch Complex-40 is ablaze as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on May 22, 2012.

Liftoff of Falcon 9 Rocket

The Falcon 9 rocket's engines ignite on the SpaceX launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, May 22, 2012.

SpaceX COTS-2 Mission Patches

SpaceX embroidered mission patches like those packed aboard their first attempt at flying the company’s Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.

Inside the Dragon Capsule

This image of the inside of the Dragon module was taken by European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers. The image was released May 29, 2012

Dragon Floats in Pacific

SpaceX's Dragon capsule floats in the Pacific Ocean as seen in this enhanced video image, May 31, 2012.

Dragon Splashdown Map

A map shows where Dragon was expected to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on May 31, 2012.

Elon Musk in SpaceX Mission Control

Elon Musk of SpaceX (3rd from right in front row, hand on his head), watches as the Dragon capsule returns to Earth, May 31, 2012.

Dragon Main Chutes Deployed

Dragon's main chutes are faintly visible as SpaceX's spacecraft returns to Earth on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

Dragon Re-entry First Sighting

Dragon capsule is barely visible (circled) as a white blob in the middle of this image, as it returns to Earth on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon Detached from ISS

SpaceX's Dragon space capsule is detached from its docking port on the International Space Station on May 31, 2012 ahead of the spacecraft's return to Earth to end its first voyage to the orbiting lab.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule After Splashdown

SpaceX's first Dragon capsule to visit the International Space Station bobs in the Pacific Ocean after a successful splashdown that capped its successful test flight on May 31, 2012. The capsule landed off the coast of Baja California.

Dragon Floats in Pacific

SpaceX's Dragon capsule floats in the Pacific Ocean as seen in this enhanced video image, May 31, 2012.

Dragon Splashdown Map

A map shows where Dragon was expected to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on May 31, 2012.

Elon Musk in SpaceX Mission Control

Elon Musk of SpaceX (3rd from right in front row, hand on his head), watches as the Dragon capsule returns to Earth, May 31, 2012.

Dragon Main Chutes Deployed

Dragon's main chutes are faintly visible as SpaceX's spacecraft returns to Earth on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

Dragon Re-entry First Sighting

Dragon capsule is barely visible (circled) as a white blob in the middle of this image, as it returns to Earth on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon Detached from ISS

SpaceX's Dragon space capsule is detached from its docking port on the International Space Station on May 31, 2012 ahead of the spacecraft's return to Earth to end its first voyage to the orbiting lab.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule After Splashdown

SpaceX's first Dragon capsule to visit the International Space Station bobs in the Pacific Ocean after a successful splashdown that capped its successful test flight on May 31, 2012. The capsule landed off the coast of Baja California.

Bolden, Musk Admire History-Making Dragon Capsule

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (left) and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk view the historic Dragon capsule that returned to Earth on May 31 following the first successful mission by a private company to carry supplies to the International Space Station. This picture was taken June 13, 2012 at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas.

NASA Chief Charlie Bolden and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk

NASA administrator Charles Bolden (left) congratulates SpaceX CEO and chief designer Elon Musk on June 13, 2012. Behind them is the Dragon capsule that on May 25 became the first private vehicle ever to dock with the International Space Station.

Mission Pictures: SpaceX's 1st Dragon Flight to Space Station

Date: 31 May 2012 Time: 06:00 AM ET
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