Falcon 9 Launches to Orbit . ... Explanation: A new rocket, the Falcon 9, was launched successfully from Cape Canaveral , Florida , USA, last week. The Falcon 9 , standing about as high as a 15-floor building, was developed by the commercial SpaceX corporation as a step toward a relatively inexpensive space launch system. Falcon 9 's success follows successful launches of the Falcon 1 last year. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...