SpaceX on Thursday successfully reused a rocket to launch a commercial communications satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 6:27 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral before settling on a droneship named “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Atlantic Ocean about 10 minutes later.
Falcon 9 first stage has landed on Of Course I Still Love You — world’s first reflight of an orbital class rocket.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 30, 2017
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. It was previously used for the CRS-8 mission in April 2016.
The flight is historic because rockets are not typically reused; they splash into the ocean. Having a reusable rocket means saving time and money on every launch.
Incredibly proud of the SpaceX team for achieving this milestone in space! Next goal is reflight within 24 hours.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2017
