[SatNews] The very first Falcon 9 demonstration package launched successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 10:43 a.m., EST, with the Dragon capsule now in orbit. There is true cause for celebration at SpaceX with this successful event, as the first private, commercial space company launches their product from the Cape.

At 8:01 PST, the Dragon capsule separated from its second stage and trunk and will perform two Earth orbits as controllers put the spacecraft through several maneuvers. It is at 34 degrees inclination, 187 miles above Earth. Dragon will then re-enter the atmosphere after completing a number of maneuvers for a Pacific Ocean splashdown, approximately 500 miles west of the Mexican coast.