SpaceX successfully launched its first rocket in 6 months

Screen Shot 2015 12 21 at 8.29.50 PM

(SpaceX)

SpaceX just successfully launched their most powerful Falcon 9 rocket to date.

The rocket ferryied 11 satellites into orbit for the telecommunications company Orbcomm Inc.

A few seconds after lift off, SpaceX announced that its Falcon 9 had cleared the towers, marking a successful launch.

Within the next 31 minutes, the rocket had deployed all 11 satellite into low-earth orbit, about 100 miles above Earth's surface.

This was the first rocket SpaceX has launched since last June — when a faulty rig, called a strut, broke shortly after lift off, which caused one of the fuel tanks to burst, setting off a chain reaction that destroyed the rocket and its unmanned Dragon spacecraft.

But that didn't happen this time around. SpaceX successfully completed its mission for Orbcomm and also landed its first rocket for reuse. It's an incredible day for the company and an exciting prospect for 21st century spaceflight.

Click here to see an amazing GIF of SpaceX's first rocket landing.

NOW WATCH: SpaceX just released epic footage of its SuperDraco engines that can take a rocket from 0 to 100 mph in 1.2 seconds

More From Business Insider

• Elon Musk: SpaceX rocket launch delayed until Monday for a better chance at landing
  

• SpaceX will attempt a potentially historic rocket landing like never before this weekend
  

• SpaceX will launch its most powerful rocket for the first time this Sunday