SpaceX reusable rocket is the biggest Christmas gift for space enthusiasts

This graphic provided by SpaceX illustrates the landing sequence of the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket.

The landing stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket descended back toward the landing pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the east coast of Florida Monday night amid a flurry of control room excitement and apprehension.

The mission’s primary objective was commercial: the company had been commissioned to launch satellites for the New Jersey-based communications company OrbComm.

While many other rockets burn up on re-entry, SpaceX designed the Falcon 9 to be able to withstand the heat and land vertically so the rocket can be used again on a future launch.

But there was another first for SpaceX – the landing. The company successfully brought the first stage of the rocket back to earth, evidence that SpaceX can reclaim its materials – materials that cost millions to construct.

The company’s previous attempts, which involved landing the rocket on a floating barge, all ended in failure.

SpaceX is led by Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla Motors. It was also the second of its type of achievement in a month, following the landing of a rocket by Jeff Bezos owned Blue Origin.

The Falcon 9 rocket had exploded shortly after liftoff in June, while carrying supplies to the International Space Station. The company, promoted by entrepreneur Elon Musk to accelerate low-priced access to space, achieved this feat in the third attempt.

The first stage of the rocket deploys fold-out steering fins, as it maneuvers toward a vertical landing back at Cape Canaveral. “Headed to LZ-1. Welcome back, baby!” At 12:32 the rocket’s first stage engines shut off. Two minutes later, the first stage’s engines re-ignited to perform the flyback manoeuvre.

Musk, who also runs the Tesla electric auto company, said he can drastically reduce launch costs by reusing rocket parts. This is a huge step forward to creating reusable rockets, thus dramatically cutting costs of space missions.