video transcript

A new era for space. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NASA ADMINISTRATOR CHARLES BOLDEN SAYING: "Today marks the beginning of a new era in exploration. A future in space that would create good paying jobs here on the Florida coast as well as throughout the United States of America. The significance of this day cannot be overstated; a private company has launched a spacecraft to the International Space Station that will attempt to dock there for the first time. And while there is a lot of work ahead to successfully complete this mission, we are certainly off to good start and I hope you all would agree on that." Within 10 minutes, the rocket owned by privately held SpaceX delivered its cargo into orbit - a Dragon capsule with 1,200 pounds of supplies for the station crew. For SpaceX founder Elon Musk witnessing the launch was like winning the Superbowl. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMPANY FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE ELON MUSK SAYING: "There is so much hope riding on the rocket, so when it worked and when Dragon worked, the solar rays deployed, people saw their handiwork in space and operating as it should. I mean it was a tremendous elation-- I guess it's perhaps like winning the Super Bowl." If its test flight is successful, SpaceX will become the first private company to reach the space station. Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters