SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket carrying ants, avocados, robot to space station

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — NASA and SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center early Sunday morning.

The more than 4,800 pounds of science, research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware lifted off from launch pad 39A just after 3:14 a.m.

After the launch, the rocket’s first-stage booster returned and landed upright on SpaceX’s newest ocean platform, named “A Shortfall of Gravitas.”

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It’s the 23rd commercial resupply mission to the ISS and the third launch for this particular booster.

The Dragon capsule is scheduled to arrive at the ISS Monday morning.

You can watch the Dragon docking here.

You can re-watch NASA’s broadcast of the launch here.

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SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets launch from Kennedy Space Center SpaceX has previously launched dozens of Falcon 9 rockets from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Brevard County, Florida. (Photos by SpaceX)

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