SpaceX Dragon capsule splashes down in Pacific

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

STORY: Space Exploration Technologies' unmanned Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of California on Thursday (May 31), completing a pioneering mission for commercial firms seeking a major role in space travel.

Riding beneath three parachutes, the bell-shaped capsule ended a nine-day spaceflight with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean about 560 miles (900 km) west of Baja California at 11:42 a.m. EDT (1542 GMT).

Dragon, built and flown by Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, was the first privately owned spacecraft to reach the $100 billion (USD) International Space Station, which flies about 240 miles (386 km) above Earth.

The United States has been without its own transportation to the station, a project of 15 nations, since its space shuttles were retired last year.

Rather than build and operate a government-owned replacement, NASA is investing in companies such as SpaceX, with the aim of buying rides for its cargo - and eventually astronauts - on commercial vehicles, a far cheaper alternative.

The successful trial run is expected to clear SpaceX to begin working off its 12-flight, $1.6 billion NASA contract to fly cargo to the station.