Scrambling to contain the backlash when one of its rockets exploded during a routine engine check in September 2016, SpaceX has successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 Iridium satellites and also managed to fly the first stage of the rocket back to a floating landing platform.

This is SpaceX's first successful flight launch since the incident involving its Falcon 9 rocket in September. This latest launch pushes the Falcon 9 success rate to 28 successful launches out of 30 flights since its debut in 2010. The recent landing of the rocket's first stage is its seventh successful attempt.

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SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 9:54 a.m. local time. The 10-satellite payload is by far the heaviest cargo SpaceX has flown into orbit, according to Quartz.

With its reusable Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX is offering an affordable alternative to the current duopoly majorly controlled by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. However, the unsuccessful launch in September has led some potential clients to doubt SpaceX's affectivity.

Investigations on the incident revealed that the explosion originated from the rocket's fuel tank. Since then, SpaceX has been working with various federal regulatory agencies in order to get to the bottom of the issue and prevent it from occurring again.

According to The Register, Iridium and SpaceX have agreed to work together for nine more satellite launches. Iridium will tap SpaceX's service in replacing some of the company's existing satellites. Each of the upcoming nine launches will carry 10 satellites.

TagsSpaceX, SpaceX, Falcon 9, Iridium, Satellite, SpaceX Launch, Falcon 9 launch