SpaceX launched its "largest geostationary satellite" ever Monday when the Southern California-based company sent its 50th Falcon 9 rocket into space from Cape Canaveral.
The Hispasat 30W-6, a satellite that's almost the size of a city bus at six metric tons, launched into the night sky over Florida at 9:33 p.m. PST. The geostationary satellite -- meaning it will remain stationary to a fixed point on Earth's surface -- will replace another telecommunications satellite used by Spanish company Hispasat.
The satellite deployed about 30 minutes after launch.
The mission marks a milestone for the Hawthorne company -- the 50th mission for the Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX has been flying the Falcon 9 since mid-2010.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted that he can't believe it's already been 50 launches and that just 10 years ago, the company couldn't even reach orbit with the original Falcon 1.
SpaceX usually attempts to land the re-useable rocket back on Earth, but said it wouldn't attempt that this time due to unfavorable weather.
The launch came almost two weeks after a SpaceX rocket soared into the early morning sky over the California coast after liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
