Re-usable private space rocket completes mission, lands successfully

A reusable Falcon 9 rocket successfully took off and landed at Cape Canaveral in Florida yesterday, a landmark in the quest for private space launch industry. and just months after a similar rocket exploded on its way to the International Space Station.

The 23-story high Falcon 9, made by US company SpaceX, completed its mission of deploying 11 satellites into orbit before its re-usable main-stage booster turned round and landed successfully around 9km from the launch pad, to celebration from watching SpaceX employees.

SpaceX is a privately owned company founded by Elon Musk, an American tech entrepreneur. Musk is banking on the attractiveness of rockets that can return and be reused, which would slash operating costs in the highly competitive private space launch industry.

“Welcome back baby,” Musk tweeted in celebration.