On Sunday, SpaceX completed a historic launch (and landing) after it successfully sent one of its previously used Block 5 Falcon 9 rockets into space, delivering SAOCOM 1A — an Argentinian Earth-imaging satellite — into orbit, before landing safely in Vandenberg AFB in California.
It’s the very first time SpaceX (or anyone) has successfully landed a rocket on the West Coast.
SpaceX has previously launched a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg and landed it offshore in the Pacific Ocean aboard a droneship. The launch had been initially planned for Saturday, but had been delayed 24 hours for some last minute checks.
Falcon 9 has landed – first West Coast land landing of an orbital class rocket booster.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 8, 2018
Shortly afterward SpaceX confirmed that SAOCOM 1A had been successfully deployed in record time.
Shortly afterward SpaceX showed a shot of Falcon 9, successfully landed on landing zone 4. It’s the 30th successful landing of a rocket booster.
From the ground, Twitter users posted incredible shots of the Falcon 9 coming back to Earth.
Nope, definitely not aliens.
What you’re looking at is the first launch and landing of the @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the West Coast. The rocket took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 7:21 p.m. and landed safely back on Earth. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/8AKjGptpps
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) October 8, 2018
SAOCOM 1A 3,000-kilogram satellite built by INVAP and this deployment was done in conjunction with Argentina’s space agency with the purpose of radar-imaging the earth.
SAOCOM 1B is planned to launch next year.
First published Oct. 6, 1:05 p.m. PT.
Update, Oct. 7 at 8:29 p.m.: Adds details of Falcon 9’s successful landing.
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