SpaceX makes its 20th successful landing today

Landing rockets have almost become a routine for the American launch company. But then again, we've grown used to seeing aircraft take off and land without the need to scrap and rebuild the whole vehicle every time, so why should it be any different with rockets? SpaceX made history with the first-ever landing of a booster engine following the deployment of a satellite in orbit in December 2015. Today, close to two years later, the company has reached an impressive milestone by repeating it no less than 20 times!

The Falcon 9 Booster Engine back at the launch pad following a successful launch and landing

A fourth reuse of the same booster engine

This launch and landing also mark the fourth time that SpaceX has successfully reused the same booster engine. Managing to land a rocket is, of course, a spectacular feat, but unless the retrieved vehicle can be returned, studied and prepared, and safely reused, it's hardly useful. 2017 has therefore been a great year for SpaceX, seeing as it is the first year the company has managed to reuse the same booster which it did for the first time in March this year. Going on to make 3 more reuses, as well as more than doubling the number of launches this year compared to 2016 (from 8 to 17, with one more launch still scheduled before the end of the year), it is no surprise that many in the space sector are excited today about the future of space accessibility.

A second reuse of the same Dragon capsule

Today's launch mission was to deliver cargo to the International Space Station with the Dragon capsule, also developed by SpaceX. It is the second time a Dragon capsule has been reused successfully, which is another key objective towards bringing the costs down and the accessibility of space up.

The same Dragon capsule that was launched today in an image taken from the ISS as it approached the space station the first time it was used in 2015, carrying science experiments, equipment, and supplies for the astronauts
Image credit: NASA Image source

The capsule is currently confirmed to be in the right orbit as it will slowly but surely push its way further towards the International Space Station where it will dock before departing back to Earth.

For further details about the mission, or if you want to see the launch and landing, you can check out the live-stream video which has already been uploaded to SpaceX's own YouTube page below:

Watch the full webcast of todayæs launch with commentary
(Perhaps we should try and get SpaceX and Elon onto @dtube and @dlive ? ;) )

To me, it is exciting to see how much attention SpaceX manages to grab with their launches time and time again. Despite this being the 20th successful landing, I still find myself watching their streams and cheering upon landing. A quick glance at my social media streams and I'll see just how many of my other friends and colleagues in the sector share the same enthusiasm and excitement for what SpaceX is accomplishing.

It sure is an awesome time to be young and involved in a time where nothing seems impossible!

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@fredrikaa