SpaceX Makes History with Launch from Florida and Booster Landing in the Bahamas

SpaceX achieved a historic milestone by launching a rocket from Florida and landing its booster off the coast of the Bahamas.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and approximately eight minutes later, its first-stage booster landed on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

“This is the first time that a rocket has taken off from one country, gone to space, and landed in another country!” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted.

This achievement allows SpaceX to optimize Falcon 9’s performance by launching into a southeast trajectory, which is ideal for placing additional satellites into orbit and supporting human spaceflight missions like Fram2, a polar-orbit mission.

Landing in the Bahamas also provides better winter weather recovery options, ensuring the booster can continue its rapid and reliable service for SpaceX’s customers.

The booster, which previously launched astronauts, cargo, and over 200 Starlink satellites, successfully delivered 23 more Starlink satellites into orbit before returning to Earth.