The unmanned Falcon 9 rocket launched by SpaceX, on a cargo resupply service mission to the International Space Station, lifts off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Saturday. — Reuters CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — The SpaceX company has successfully launched another fresh load of supplies to the International Space Station. But its revolutionary attempt to land the leftover booster on an ocean barge did not fare as well. SpaceX's billionaire founder Elon Musk says the first-stage of the unmanned Falcon rocket made it to the platform floating a couple hundred miles off Florida's northeastern coast. But he says the booster came down too hard and broke apart. It's the first time anyone tried anything like this. According to Musk: "Close but no cigar this time." But he says it bodes well for the future. Normally, the first stages are discarded at sea. Musk said recovering and reusing rockets is essential for bringing down launch costs and speeding up operations. Once separated from the upper stage of the rocket, the main booster re-ignited as planned for the flyback, according to SpaceX. Touchdown was supposed to occur nine minutes after liftoff. SpaceX had expected the booster — equipped with fins for guidance and landing legs — to soar as high as 50 to 80 miles (80-130 km) before maneuvering down toward the modified barge via automatic engine firings. The Air Force maintained the ability, as always, to destroy the booster if it strayed off course. NASA watched the post-launch drama with keen interest, but its biggest focus was on the Dragon racing toward the space station and its six inhabitants. The capsule is due to arrive there Monday. The shipment is needed more than usual because of the recent loss of another company's supply ship. Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Antares rocket exploded seconds after liftoff in October, destroying the entire payload and damaging the Virginia launch complex. That rocket is grounded until next year. NASA is paying SpaceX and Orbital Sciences to keep the space station stocked. Russia and Japan also plan supply runs this year. — AP
