SpaceX launches its first recycled rocket in historic leap

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SpaceX has launched its first recycled rocket. SCROLL DOWN FOR REPLAY OF OUR LIVE FEED

It's the biggest leap yet in the company's bid to drive down costs and speed up flights.

The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center Thursday evening on the historic reflight. It's the first time SpaceX founder Elon Musk has tried to fly a salvaged booster. The first stage landed on an ocean platform almost a year ago after a launch for NASA.

SpaceX refurbished and tested the booster, which still has its original engines. The booster will aim for another sea landing once it hoists a broadcasting satellite for the SES (S-E-S) company of Luxembourg.

Longtime customer SES is getting a discount for agreeing to use a recycled rocket, but won't say how much.