SpaceX lands rocket's first stage on ship

For the third time, SpaceX has successfully launched and landed the same first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket.

The spacecraft carrying dozens of small satellites lifted off today from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Minutes later, the first stage landed on an unmanned ship in the Pacific.

The same first stage was previously launched and recovered on missions in May and August.

Reusability is a major goal of SpaceX founder Elon Musk's rocket program.

The payload of the Spaceflight SSO-A SmallSat Express includes satellites from 34 organizations in 17 countries.