SpaceX launches NASA resupply mission with reused rocket and capsule
Both the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule were 'flight proven.'
Today SpaceX launched its first reused rocket for NASA. Both the Falcon 9 rocket itself and the Dragon capsule have been used prior to this resupply mission. Back in June, Elon Musk's spacefaring venture put a reused capsule in orbit, but this trip to the International Space Station marks the first time that NASA has used a "flight proven" booster on a mission (read: reused) according to CNBC. Based on the livestream, everything seems to have gone well: SpaceX successfully landed the rocket, which means it could potentially make its third flight in the future.
The Dragon will spend around a month attached to the ISS and will return to Earth on January 13th. If you missed any of today's action, NASA is replaying the launch stream ahead of today's press conference at noon Eastern.
Rocket and spacecraft for CRS-13 are flight-proven. Falcon 9's first stage previously launched SpaceX's eleventh resupply mission for @NASA, and Dragon flew to the @Space_Station in support of our sixth cargo resupply mission. pic.twitter.com/RY4F2TrWO2
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 6, 2017