Previous attempts ended with crashes.
Long exposure of launch, re-entry, and landing burns pic.twitter.com/Vw1ZJAtvhy
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 22, 2015
On its previous flight back in June, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket failed shortly after liftoff, destroying a supply ship intended for the International Space Station. A snapped strut in the upper stage was to blame. SpaceX spent months correcting the problem and improving the unmanned rocket. It hopes to resume supply runs for NASA in February.
Space X founder Elon Musk believes reusable rockets will transform the space industry, allowing travel and living in space to be much cheaper.
The company has a contract with NASA to supply the space station and will start transporting astronauts in 2017.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos actually beat Musk in the space race, successfully landing a rocket last month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Awoke to check on #SpaceX launch and first stage landing. Must say, very impressed! Congratulations to team!. See you soon. #YearInSpace
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 22, 2015
Congratulations @SpaceX on your successful vertical landing of the first stage back on Earth! https://t.co/Zw3LR8fPTI
— NASA (@NASA) December 22, 2015
The Falcon 9 first stage landing is confirmed. Second stage continuing nominally. pic.twitter.com/RX2QKSl0z7
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 22, 2015
