By the CNN Wire Staff

updated 5:48 AM EDT, Mon October 8, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- The SpaceX rocket, the first commercial flight to the International Space Station, lifted off Sunday night carrying an unmanned cargo capsule.

The Falcon 9 rocket with its Dragon capsule launched on schedule at 8:35 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with an orange blaze against the black night sky. About 10 minutes into the flight, the Dragon separated from the rocket and was on its way to the station.

Mission control called it "a picture-perfect launch and a flawless flight of Falcon."

It is is the first of a dozen NASA-contracted flights to resupply the International Space Station, at a total cost of $1.6 billion.

SpaceX launches new era for exploration

SpaceX launches new era for exploration

SpaceX launches new era for exploration

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First commercial cargo flight heading to International Space Station