The Falcon has landed

After multiple tries since 2013 and a total launch failure last June that temporarily grounded the private company, SpaceX succeeded in landing its Falcon 9 rocket after launch on December 21. This is the first successful example of a fully reusable rocket system that can deliver cargo to low-Earth orbit.

This particular rocket will likely be retired as a museum treasure, but it survived its journey intact, delivered 11 satellites to orbit, and passed subsequent ground tests. Rival company Blue Orbital achieved its own rocket landing only a month earlier, but for a suborbital flight, which substantially eases the requirements compared with SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit achievement. Both companies hope that reusable rockets will make commercial space flight cheaper and more viable.