Early Monday morning at 12:45am EDT, SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 with Cargo Dragon enroute to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9 launched beautifully lighting up the night sky and successfully delivered Dragon into the desired orbit to catch up to the space station. After the first stage separation, it immediately entered it's flip and started the boostback burn toward Cape Canaveral. The second stage then continued to push Dragon into orbit as the first stage fell back to Earth. Three of the first stage's engines ignited again to start the reentry burn to help slow down the rocket while entering the atmosphere to prevent serious damage. Shortly after the engines shutdown, one re-lit for the landing burn allowing the first stage to softly touchdown at Landing Complex 1. Dragon then separated from the second stage and deployed it's solar panels and is now on its way to the space station.(Photo credit: SpaceX, www.flickr.com/spacex )
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