Space Flight Technologies launches Falcon 9 rocket Friday . The United States will be renting space from the Russians aboard their Soyuz spacecraft . With shuttle program about to end , President looking to private companies to fill gap . U.S. will rely on Russians to get to and from the international space station for now . Founder hopes SpaceX will be ready to start flying cargo to the station next year .
Space Flight Technologies launches Falcon 9 rocket Friday . With shuttle program about to end , President looking to private companies to fill gap . U.S. will rely on Russians to get to and from the international space station for now . Founder hopes SpaceX will be ready to start flying cargo to the station next year .