SpaceX debuts recycled rocket and new launch pad

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft for a NASA mission, to resupply the International Space Station.

If you missed the live launch, you can watch it here.

SpaceX director Jessica Jensen says both the rocket and space craft are "flight proven," but the launch pad is brand new.  NASA's International Space Station manager, Kirk Shireman, says the risk of launching a recycled rocket is about the same as for a brand new one. He says he'll be just as anxious as he always is at every launch.

SpaceX spent $50-million to completely rebuild the launch pad after a Falcon 9 rocket exploded at Space Launch Complex 40 back in September of 2016. Jensen says the pad has a new and improved strongback, which raises and retracts from the rocket, as well as launch infrastructure that was buried underground to better protect it.