SpaceX Delivers Space Station Cargo to NASA in McGreggor - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Two weeks ago it made history, and today SpaceX's Dragon Spacecraft made its way to central Texas.

Dragon was the first commercial vehicle to dock with the International Space Station, bringing  back cargo for NASA.

From deep space to deep in the heart of Texas, the Dragon did what it was meant to do today, as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden took possession of the 1,000 pounds of cargo it brought back from the International Space Station.

"What we did as a team was historic. It's the first time that private company has ever done what you all did, and that's a big, big deal," Bolden said to SpaceX employees Wednesday morning.

With NASA missions grounded, commercial space travel is starting to take off, and thanks to a special heat shield, it's the first cargo vehicle not to burn up, giving SpaceX CEO Elon Musk high hopes of upgrading Dragon to carry astronauts and maybe someday civilians.

"The fact that it's demonstrated this robustness is, I think, pretty helpful in preparing for future crew missions and that kind of thing," said Musk.

Already another rocket is ready to go at Cape Canaveral, and a new space craft could be launched some time this year.

"We're just working with NASA to figure out what the exact right timing is for the next launch, but we're ready to go within months," said Musk.

First NASA will review the success of the Dragon's mission.

If all goes well, Bolden says the sky is the limit for the exploding commercial space industry.

"The President has given us an opportunity, in the face of a lot of adversity to be quite honest, He's given us an opportunity to blaze a new trail in terms of space exploration," said Bolden.

The Dragon may be sent up again, or it might tour the country to educate kids about its science.

Wherever this battered beacon of ingenuity goes, Bolden hopes it inspires the next generation to shoot for the moon.

"As we sit with our grand kids in the rocking chair, you will be able to tell them about what happened over the last few weeks and you're going to tell them, I was there, and this is what we did," said Bolden.

And as SpaceX launches into the future, it's expected to bring several hundred new jobs to central Texas.

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Rocky Bridges