The U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing successfully supported the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket during its mission to put ORBCOMM’s OG2 communications satellites in to orbit Dec. 21 at 8:29 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 40 here.
Then just nine minutes following the launch was the first-ever successful landing of the Falcon 9’s first stage booster at Landing Zone 1 (formerly Complex 13) at 8:38 p.m. EST on CCAFS.
“Today clearly placed the exclamation mark on 2015, by closing out another successful year for the Eastern Range in historic fashion,” said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander and launch decision authority. “This launch and flyback speaks volumes to the hard work this team puts in every single day driving innovation and success. This was a first for us at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and I can’t even begin to describe the excitement the team feels right now having been a part of this historic first-stage rocket landing.”
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