News

Actions

SpaceX's returned booster rocket back in hangar

Posted at 8:37 AM, Jan 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-05 08:37:59-05

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - SpaceX's booster rocket, the Falcon, is back in its nest following a historic landing.

The California company led by Elon Musk shared a picture of the returned booster Sunday. The used Falcon 9 is shown on its side inside a hangar at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Musk says no damage was found.

The booster carried satellites aloft Dec. 21, then flew back to its specified landing zone, a first for an orbital mission. It landed upright on legs.

Musk plans to fire the booster again in a test to demonstrate rocket reusability. This particular booster won't fly again, given its significance. Another booster landing could occur as early as next month on a space station supply run for NASA.

SpaceX wants to reuse rockets to save time and money.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)