Launch file from Python

[jocago at gmail.com]

Good afternoon from someone who is trying to learn Python.

I would like to launch an app from within a Python script. From the
examples I have found, I should be able to do this with os.system.

I use this:
os.system("xplanet-1.2.0/xplanet.exe -fontsize 24 -label -target earth
-lat 33.65 -lon -84.42 -radius 40 -num_times 1 -tmpdir .")
This is copied directly from the .bat file that launches the xplanet
app. It works there.

and get this:
1

Can someone fill me in?  Thanks.