June 4, 2010 Allard Beutel Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 allard.beutel@nasa.gov 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: ksc-subscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: ksc-unsubscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov