SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches into the sky, drops off 'Telstar' satellite, then lands back on a giant barge in the sea

The mission carried telecommunications equipment

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exits the atmosphere for a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, over Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., June 29, 2018 (REUTERS/Joey Roulette)

SpaceX has successfully launched a rocket into space, dropped off a satellite, and then landed it again on the sea.

Difficulties looked to overshadow the launch, which some had worried might be delayed or run into problems. But in the end it was a flawless mission, including both the launch and the landing.

The launch was continually threatened by the weather, including nearby thunderstorms, and was delayed until late in the launch window. But it eventually took off with no problems at all.

The weather also threatened the landing of the rocket back on a barge ship, which will allow it to be collected and re-used. Choppy conditions in the sea looked to make the landing more difficult, and any delays would have pushed the landing closer to the growing storm Florence which is approaching the coast of the US.

It took off at 12.45am local time in Florida. About 32 minutes later the satellite was deployed, and after the stage separation the rocket fell back down to Earth and landed on the barge ready to be recovered.

The mission carried the Telstar 18 Vantage satellite, which includes telecommunications equipment that promises to dramatically improve connectivity across Asia.

But it also marked another success for SpaceX itself. It was the company's 16th mission this year.