SpaceX sends a rocket to orbit, and lands it safely back on Earth

[Legend]

Huge and needs its own thread

Stage one has landed

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 22, 2015

How is this different than Blue Origin?

Blue Origin shot a test rocket straight up to 100 km and then had it land straight back down. SpaceX launched a real rocket that delivered 11 satellites into 625km orbits at 26,000 km/h, and still was able to land it. Basically Blue Origin was a proof of concept, while SpaceX actually did it.

What does it mean?

Launching stuff into space is going to quickly become a lot cheaper, like 90% cheaper. Currently the largest cost is building the single use rockets.

The first stage (part that returned) is 41.2 meters/135 feet tall.

[DD_Bwest]

Huuuugee things for space. A new space age.   I cant wait to see them try this with a falcon heavy lol

[Raven]

Next step, mass drivers and space elevators.

[Legend]

[Legend]

It's very large.

Live video from LZ-1 pic.twitter.com/Ve6gEXfOdh

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 22, 2015

[DD_Bwest]

it really is amazing what they have managed to do,   its easy to forget how big tht thing is with all the cameras so far away for launch.

[Xevross]

Yes! Bring on missions to the Mars and Europa!

[Legend]

Didn't realise it landed the same place it launched from.