A SpaceX rocket blasted off today toward the International Space Station, carrying a load of supplies, including a docking adapter that future spaceships will use to park at the orbiting outpost.

“Falcon 9 is on its way,” said a commentator at SpaceX mission control as the white rocket launched under a dark night sky from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 12:45 am (local time).

Following the launch, the rocket separated, sending the cargo to orbit. Then, the first stage of the rocket successfully fired its engines again to maneuver its way back to land on solid ground at Cape Canaveral.

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