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SpaceX Gets Challenge From Blue Origin

Hawthorne, California-based space rocket developer SpaceX has its first, real, commercial competition, as of Monday, after competing rocket developer Blue Origin launched its first successful test into space. SpaceX---which was given the order last week to start working on a manned mission to deliver astronauts to the ISS--has so far dominated the market for commercial rocket launches, despite the claims and efforts of a number of potential competitors. Blue Origin is backed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos; SpaceX is run by fellow tech mogul Elon Musk. Blue Origin said its first test to space sent its rocket to an altitude of 329,839 feet (100.5 kilometers), before a successful return of the rocket to earth--a task that Musks' SpaceX has yet to accomplish, despite multiple return landing tests by the company.