CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of a Falcon 9 built by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) sits on processing stands inside the company's hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image shows the nine Merlin engines that power the first stage. Technicians are preparing the rocket for the second launch in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program to demonstrate private companies' ability to launch uncrewed spacecraft into orbit. A follow-on contract, Commercial Resupply Services, calls for SpaceX to launch 12 resupply missions to the International Space Station between 2011 and 2015.
NASA/Jack Pfaller
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