Private SpaceX Rocket Set for Space Station Delivery (Photos)

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Dragon Spacecraft Attached to Falcon 9 Rocket

NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Dragon Spacecraft and Falcon 9

NASA/Ben Smegelsky

A Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, Dragon spacecraft is rotated for mating with its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. This image was taken Sept. 30, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Preparation

NASA/Ben Smegelsky

A Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, Dragon spacecraft is being prepared for the company's first Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS-1, mission to the International Space Station. This image was taken Sept. 30, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Inspection

NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, technicians inspect a Dragon spacecraft being prepared for the company's first Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS-1, mission to the International Space Station. This image was taken Sept. 30, 2012.

Falcon 9 Being Prepped

NASA/Ben Smegelsky

A Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is being prepared for the company's first Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS-1, mission to send a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. This image was taken Sept. 30, 2012.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rolls Out

NASA/Jim Grossmann

The Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule atop is in the vertical position with associated launch pad umbilicals attached, during a rollout demonstration test at Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 in Vertical Position

NASA/Jim Grossman

The Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule attached on top is lifted into the vertical position during a rollout demonstration test at Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Unique View

NASA/Jim Grossmann

A unique view from the ground looking up shows the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule attached after it was lifted into the vertical position during a rollout demonstration test to Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.

Falcon 9 Casts Reflection in Water

NASA/Jim Grossmann

Casting a reflection in the water, the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule attached on top continues along on a rollout demonstration test to Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.

Close-Up View of SpaceX's Falcon 9

NASA/Jim Grossmann

In a close-up view, the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule attached on top begins a rollout demonstration test to Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.

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Space.com Staff
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