SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon launch to the ISS

[LongTomH]

3. That multi-engine configuration gives Falcon 9 a big reliability advantage compared to other....

....launchers, and this just demonstrates that advantage. That translates into a big safety advantage when they begin carrying astronauts in Dragon!

Compare Falcon 9 to ATK's Ares rocket:

Falcon 9:

• Liquid fuel, engines can be throttled or shut down on command, and
  
• multi-engine, can continue the mission with one or more engines shut down.

Ares:

• Solid-fuel, once you light the candle, you have to ride it out, and
  
• one, count 'em, one engine, and
  
• proven unreliability. Remember Challenger!