SpaceX capsule completes first privately run return trip to space

A PRIVATE company launched a spacecraft into orbit and then, in a historic first, guided it back to Earth yesterday in a bold test for NASA that could lead to the first commercial space station supply run next year and eventual astronaut rides.

The capsule named Dragon, built by Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, splashed down into the Pacific Ocean three hours after launching from Cape Canaveral. NASA immediately offered congratulations.

“Splashdown on target. Mission is a success,” the company announced.