A Rocket Returns
On May 27, 2016, the private spaceflight company SpaceX launched the Thaicom 8 satellite into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket, then successfully landed the Falcon 9 booster's first stage (seen here) on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. See photos from the awesome launch and landing here in this Space.com gallery.
GO for lanidng
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket first stage comes in for a landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" after successfully launching the Thaicom 8 satellite into orbit on May 27, 2016.
Touchdown
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket first stage comes in for a landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" after successfully launching the Thaicom 8 satellite into orbit on May 27, 2016.
Fiery Descent
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket first stage comes in for a landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" after successfully launching the Thaicom 8 satellite into orbit on May 27, 2016.
Beautiful Day for a Launch
A wide-angle look at SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launching the Thaicom 8 satellite on May 27, 2016.
Next Stop, Earth
The first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket comes back down to Earth for an ocean landing on May 27 after launching the Thaicom 8 communications satellite.
Thaicom 8 Satellite Deploys
The Thaicom 8 communications satellite deploys from the second stage of a SpaceX rocket on May 27, 2016.
Lanidng Success!
The Falcon 9 rocket landing marked SpaceX's third consecutive drone ship landing at sea and fourth landing in all.
Homeward Bound
The leaning first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket nears port in Florida on June 2, 2016.
Welcome Home
The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that launched the Thaicom 8 communications satellite comes into port in Florida on June 2, 2016.
Falcon 9 Launches Thaicom 8 Satellite, May 27, 2016
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with the Thaicom 8 communications satellite from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 27, 2016.
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