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SpaceX launches cluster of Iridium satellites

Sunday, 15 January 2017 7:54 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 15 January 2017 7:54 AM ]

This image obtained from SpaceX shows a Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on January 14, 2017. (AFP)

American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX has made a comeback by successfully launching and landing its first rocket since a costly launch pad explosion.

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation sent an unmanned Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday to deploy a cargo of 10 satellites for Iridium communications company to the orbit.

SpaceX had a lot at stake with this flight since its last attempt of test firing a launch in September, ended in failure. But on top of a successful takeoff from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, the US based aerospace company demonstrated an increased mastery of rocket control by landing the rocket’s first stage booster on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.

The successful project adds to SpaceX’s credibility since the Falcon 9 rocket is at the core of all their missions. A three billion dollar project to send at least 70 Iridium satellites to low-earth orbit is up next on SpaceX’s schedule.

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