Private company launching test spacecraft for NASA

[December 08, 2010]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- A private company is on track to launch a rocket and spacecraft Wednesday in a bold demonstration test for NASA.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. -- or SpaceX -- is counting down toward a morning liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Falcon 9 rocket holds a capsule named Dragon. Once aloft, Dragon will circle the world twice, then attempt a re-entry. The plan is for the spacecraft to parachute into the Pacific Ocean, 500 miles off the Mexican coast. No private company has accomplished this before.

NASA is hiring companies like SpaceX to haul supplies to the International Space Station following next year's shuttle retirement. Taxi trips for astronauts may follow.

Liftoff was delayed from Tuesday to fix a cracked rocket nozzle.

[Associated Press; By MARCIA DUNN]

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