SpaceX has successfully landed the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean -- after launching a Japanese communications satellite into space.

About 2-1/2 minutes after launch the rocket's first stage separated from the second stage, flipped around, and headed towards a ship stationed  off of Florida's east coast. The mission marks the second successful landing at sea for SpaceX.

The landing technique allows the California-based company to re-use rocket parts after each launch.