A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from California on Saturday and placed a constellation of satellites in orbit, marking the company's first launch since a fireball engulfed a similar rocket on a Florida launch pad more than four months ago. In addition to commercial launches, SpaceX ferries supplies to the International Space Station and is developing a capsule capable of carrying astronauts to the station. In June 2015, a Falcon loaded with space station supplies disintegrated shortly after liftoff. The program, called Iridium NEXT, was not only delayed by the SpaceX accident but again most recently as a powerful storm headed into California last weekend. SpaceX's effort to recover Falcon first stages is intended to reduce costs by recycling a major piece of the launch system.

Source: Fox News January 15, 2017 10:52 UTC