Space X on verge of 3rd supply run to ISS with its commerical rocket

SCI-TECH

Space X on verge of 3rd supply run to ISS with its commerical rocket

The Associated Press Published Thursday, February 28, 2013 2:39PM EST

The Aurora Australis seen from the International Space Station on July 15, 2012.

In this image provided by NASA the Expedition 32 crew onboard the International Space Station, flying an altitude of approximately 240 miles, recorded a series of images of Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, on July 15, 2012. (AP Photo/NASA, Joe Acaba)

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The International Space Station is about to get another commercial shipment.

The California company known as SpaceX is scheduled to launch its unmanned Falcon rocket from Cape Canaveral on Friday. On board is a Dragon capsule filled with more than a ton of tools, computer hardware and science experiments.

The freezers are filled with stem cells and other research items. There's no room this time for ice cream for the six-man station crew.

Forecasters put the odds of good weather at 80 per cent. Launch time is 10:10 a.m.

This will be the third space station visit for SpaceX. NASA is paying the company to supply the orbiting lab. Russia, Europe and Japan also provide delivery services.

NASA's shuttles used to be the main haulers, but they retired two years ago.