NASA's private spacecraft to launch cargo to space station

SpaceX's robotic Dragon spacecraft is set to blast off atop the company's Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on October 7.

The mission will kick off Dragon's first-ever bona fide supply run to the station. California-based SpaceX holds a USD 1.6 billion NASA contract to make 12 such unmanned flights, 'SPACE.Com' reported.

When it leaves the pad on October 7, Dragon will be carrying about 454 kilograms of supplies, officials said.

Much of the gear will support the 166 different scientific investigations