A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off from Florida on Monday with a cargo of communications satellites and landed safely after returning back to Cape Canaveral.

The operation was capped by the delivery of all 11 satellites to orbit for launch customer ORBCOMM. It marked a pivotal moment for privately owned SpaceX, which was founded by high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

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The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, having nine-engine suborbital main stage. It returned 10 minutes later to a landing site about 10 kilometers south of its launchpad.

The ability to return rockets to Earth so they can be renewed and reflown could enable SpaceX slash its operating costs in the burgeoning and highly competitive private space launch industry, Musk said.

SpaceX workers rejoiced as they watched live video of successful operation.

"Welcome back, baby!" Musk posted on his Twitter account.

After the blast off, the Falcon 9's first-stage rocket seperated from its upper-stage booster, which continued on into orbit to release ORBCOMM's satellites.

Monday's deployment completed a $200 million, 17-satellite network that will give machine-to-machine messaging services on the ground. SpaceX has more than 60 launch missions unfinished worth about $8 billion.

Tagsspacex falcon 9, ORBCOMM, Spacex Rocket, Elon Musk, SpaceX