Space Exploration Technologies Corp (or SpaceX) made the first successful privately funded, liquid-propelled orbital launch vehicle with Flight #4 of the Falcoln 1 rocket on September 28, 2008.

Omelek Island is close to the equator, where the Earth spins a little bit faster, giving the rocket an extra boost upon launch. The island is a part of a series of islands used to test the efficacy of the "Star Wars" missile defense system back in the 80s.

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