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SpaceX’s Falcon 9 reusable rocket makes a ideal vertical landing
SpaceX had a successful mission last night to launch 11 satellites for communications company ORBCOMM to low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral, Fla., but most importantly the Falcon 9 rocket had a successful landing back on land after launch! SpaceX landed a rocket named Grasshopper vertically two years ago, but that one didn’t go into space.
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The reusable main-stage booster then turned around, flew back to Cape Canaveral and landed safely near its launchpad in a dramatic spaceflight first. It marked a pivotal reversal of fortunes for privately owned Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, which was founded by high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Before Monday’s launch, weather and some other issues delayed the launch and lading attempt, but SpaceX launched Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Monday evening without a hitch.
SpaceX employees broke out in celebration as they watched a live stream of the 47m-tall white booster slowly descend to earth in the form of a glowing orange ball.
Musk has said the ability to return his rockets to Earth so they can be refurbished and reflown would slash his company’s operating costs in the burgeoning and highly competitive private space launch industry.
SpaceX founder, CEO and chief designer Elon Musk described it to reporters as a “revolutionary moment”.
Many rockets use multiple stages, or engine sets, to reduce weight during launch.
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Several attempts to land the Falcon 9’s first stage on a floating ocean platform have failed – with the rocket either colliding with the autonomous drone ship or tipping over. Monday’s launch was the first since SpaceX redesigned and upgraded the powerful rocket.