SpaceX launches, lands recycled rocket
SpaceX launched a rocket that had already flown to space and landed it successfully on an ocean platform, as part of its ongoing effort to recycle costly rocket components. On a clear autumn evening at 6:53 pm (2253 GMT), the tall, white Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida carrying the Echostar 105/SES-11 satellite. “Couldn’t be more perfect weather for a launch,” said a commentator on SpaceX’s live webcast.
The satellite aims to provide television coverage and communications capabilities to North America, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is a “dual-mission” satellite for the US-based operator EchoStar and Luxembourg-based operator SES. About 10 minutes after launch, the tall portion of the rocket, known as the first stage, returned to Earth for a controlled, upright landing on a droneship called “Of Course I Still Love You,” stationed in the Atlantic.
The Falcon 9 rocket “is currently standing on the deck,” said the SpaceX commentator, as video images showed the smoking rocket securely parked on the platform. “Yet another successful landing of a Falcon 9 first stage,” he added. “This is our 18th successful landing.” The Falcon 9’s first stage which launched today had previously flown on a cargo mission to the …read more