This Jan. 10, 2015 image from video provided by SpaceX shows its booster rocket trying to land on a floating barge in the Atlantic after launch, in an unprecedented attempt that ended in a fiery explosion. The video released Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 shows the rocket hitting the football field-sized barge a couple hundred miles off Florida's northeastern coast. The landing attempt came minutes after separation from the main rocket that successfully delivered groceries and science experiments to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/SpaceX)
SpaceX has released dramatic footage of its booster rocket trying to land on a floating ocean barge after a launch—an unprecedented attempt that ended in a fiery explosion.
The video released Friday shows the 14-story rocket hitting the football field-sized barge at an angle, lighting up the night sky off the Florida coast.
Saturday's landing attempt came minutes after the Falcon 9 rocket launched a load of supplies to the International Space Station. The first stage peeled away and flew to the barge.
After the loss, SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted: "Close, but no cigar this time." He tweeted this week that the rocket's legs and engine section were smashed.
The Southern California-based company attempted the touchdown because it wants to launch reusable rockets to bring down costs.
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This Jan. 10, 2015 image from video provided by SpaceX shows its booster rocket trying to land on a floating barge in the Atlantic after launch, in an unprecedented attempt that ended in a fiery explosion. The video released Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 shows the rocket hitting the football field-sized barge a couple hundred miles off Florida's northeastern coast. The landing attempt came minutes after separation from the main rocket that successfully delivered groceries and science experiments to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/SpaceX)
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This Jan. 10, 2015 image from video provided by SpaceX shows its booster rocket trying to land on a floating barge in the Atlantic after launch, in an unprecedented attempt that ended in a fiery explosion. The video released Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 shows the rocket hitting the football field-sized barge a couple hundred miles off Florida's northeastern coast. The landing attempt came minutes after separation from the main rocket that successfully delivered groceries and science experiments to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/SpaceX)
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