SpaceX completes first half of its weekend doubleheader

Enlarge / SpaceX successfully test-fired its rocket for the BulgariaSat-1 mission last week. (credit: SpaceX)

3:30pm ET Update: Under nearly perfect skies in Florida, SpaceX successfully launched the BulgariaSat-1 on its way to geostationary transfer orbit Friday afternoon. The "flight proven" booster made its second flight, and provides further indication that reusable rocketry isn't going to be an aerospace fad. It is, rather, likely the future.

The company also demonstrated its increasing proficiency with regard to booster landings. Although Elon Musk didn't provide technical details, he said the reentry force and heating faced by this booster would be greater than that of any previous flight. Despite this technically challenging, three-engine landing, the rocket made it back to a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

The first-stage booster was singed, smoking and listing-and near the edge of the droneship. But the rocket had made it home in one piece. "Rocket is extra toasty and hit the deck hard (used almost all of the emergency crush core), but otherwise good," Musk tweeted a few minutes following the landing.

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