NASA Administrator's Statement On First Falcon 9 Launch

June 4, 2010

Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979
bob.jacobs@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 10-132

NASA ADMINISTRATOR'S STATEMENT ON FIRST FALCON 9 LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The following is a statement by NASA
Administrator Charles Bolden regarding Friday's launch of Space
Exploration Technologies' Falcon 9 rocket.

"Congratulations to Space X on today's launch of its Falcon 9 launch
vehicle. Space X's accomplishment is an important milestone in the
commercial transportation effort and puts the company a step closer
to providing cargo services to the International Space Station.
"Preparations are proceeding for the first NASA-sponsored test launch
under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project
later this year. COTS is a vital development and demonstration
partnership to create a commercial space transportation system
capable of providing cargo to the station. "This launch of the Falcon
9 gives us even more confidence that a resupply vehicle will be
available after the space shuttle fleet is retired."

For more information about COTS, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/about/c3po.html

-end-

To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
hqnews-subscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov
To remove your address from the list, send a message to:
hqnews-unsubscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov