SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 reusable rocket

Elon Musk’s privately-held SpaceX has successfully led the first relaunch of a used rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

SpaceX initially launched the Falcon 9 rocket 11 months ago, and its reuse marks a major milestone for the space travel industry as a whole. Traditionally rockets will lose the majority of their parts during launches, but Musk’s company hopes to increase the ability of rockets to be recycled.

The rocket took off from Kennedy before landing on a remotely piloted platform in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, just eight minutes after departing. The rocket travelled over 22,000 miles during that time.

"I think it's an amazing day for space. It means you can fly and re-fly an orbit class booster, which is the most expensive part of the rocket. This is going to be, hopefully, a huge revolution in spaceflight," Musk said.

SpaceX plans to launch six more reusable rockets in 2017, and with consistent reliability satellite operators will become increasingly comfortable with making use of the firm’s services. Luxembourg operator SES collaborated on the test project, and its chief technology officer said it was a significant day for the industry.

"It's a big deal for us. If we can get reliable re-usability then we will get better management of the manifest," said Martin Halliwell. "We made a little bit of history today, actually. We just opened the door to a whole new era of spaceflight,"