The successful launching for Columbia came after a half year of vexing delays.

Is a key partner in the successful launching of satellites for combatant commanders' requirements and other test range activities.

And the risks don't end with a successful launching either.

Today, the successful launching of a small satellite makes news.

China's successful launching of a man into space last week was a technological triumph for a still-developing nation.

However, the space program appeared to have overcome many of the early difficulties after the successful launching of the two satellites.

But the applause and the celebratory dinner that will follow a successful launching cannot hide the pain of the world's space industry.

"We congratulate you on a successful launching," it said.

The last time for two successful launchings in a month was October 1985.

A successful launching would have been the first by a company using a rocket not first built for the Government.