Hawthorne-based rocket company SpaceX has landed another launch contract, adding to its growing backlog of commitments for future space missions. The company formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp. agreed to launch three satellites for European communications service provider SES, the companies said Wednesday.

This is the second launch contract SpaceX has signed with SES. The first, announced last year, was for a mission scheduled for 2013.  In May, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule became the first commercial vehicle to successfully attach to the International Space Station. That feat had previously been achieved only by four governments. Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, SpaceX already has more than 40 launches on its manifest, including missions to resupply the space station and deliver commercial and government satellites into orbit.

(Source: futurenow321)