US space agency NASA and a US company called SpaceX have successfully launched a new commercial rocket called Falcon 9 carrying "The Dragon" capsule into space for a quick test flight.

Its mission is to one day carry cargo, and eventually astronauts, to and from the International Space Station.

The launch marks a key step for NASA once its own space shuttle programme is retired next year.

Al Jazeera's Catherine Stancl reports.

Source: Al Jazeera