SpaceX Falcon 9 launches (9 images)

Spacex's Falcon 9 rocket launches the Dragon spacecraft at 3:44 AM from Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 22, 2012. Launched for NASA, Dragon will be the first privately owned vehicle to fly to the International Space Station as part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Program. After the spacecraft performs a series of maneuvers to assure its readiness, the Station's robotic arm will grapple the spacecraft and berth it to the outpost. On this mission, Dragon will deliver over 1,000 pounds of cargo and experiments to the station. .UPI/Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell