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Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket lights up California sky

46 minutes ago

EPA

Elon Musk's SpaceX company has successfully launched a satellite into space from
California - wowing social media users in the process.

The Falcon 9 rocket took Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A into orbit from Vandenberg Air
Force Base, on the coast northwest of Los Angeles.

Residents shared photos of the launch, which lit up the skies over the state.

The rocket's first - and reusable - stage landed successfully, marking the first West Coast
landing for a booster.
 Musk to fly Japan billionaire around moon

Elon Musk's Falcon rocket soars to space

Taking off at about 19:21 local time (02:21 GMT), the first stage of the rocket returned safely
to the air base about eight minutes later.

Californians posted videos and photos of the skies after the successful take-off, including Los
Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti.

@MAYOROFLA

@SAMUELTSUI
@SETHMACFARLANE
 @PHILDERNERJR

SpaceX has developed reusable rockets in a bid to save costs and attract business.

While the company says this is the 30th landing of a booster, this is the first land touchdown
on the West Coast - the rest have happened on land in Florida and from platforms out at sea.

Argentina's satellite will reportedly track natural disasters, crop yields and soil-moisture levels
from 385 miles (620km) above the earth.

@SPACEX
@SPACEX
 @SPACEX

Billionaire Elon Musk also tweeted photos of his company's launch.

The entrepreneur has been in the spotlight recently, after mocking the Securities and
Exchange Commission in a tweet just days after reaching an agreement with it over fraud
charges.

The weird and wonderful life of Elon Musk

The man who sent his sports car into space

Related Topics

SpaceX United States Elon Musk California

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