Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing for CRS-8 Mission

Space Cargo Ship Fleet

NASA TV

This unprecedented view shows SpaceX's Dragon cargo ship (left), Orbital ATK's Cygnus ship at center and Russia's Progress cargo ship at far right after the Dragon's docking on April 10, 2016. It's the first time two private U.S. cargo ships have been together at the station.

Catching Dragon

NASA TV

British astronaut Tim Peake of the European Space Agency captured SpaceX's Dragon with a robotic arm at 7:23 a.m. EDT on April 10, 2016. Dragon was parked at the International Space Station by 9:57 p.m. EDT.

Dragon and a Blue Earth

NASA TV

Dragon hovers below the International Space Station as darkness begins to descend on the blue Earth below.

An Amazing View

NASA TV

Dragon sails over a stunning Earth as it nears the International Space Station.

Eyes on the Prize

NASA TV

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is seen on approach by a camera on the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm.

Dragon in Tow

NASA TV

Here's another view of SpaceX's Dragon at the end of the space station's robotic arm.

Dragon in the Clouds

NASA TV

While clouds on Earth make for a beautiful backdrop as Dragon approached the International Space Station on Sunday, April 10.

A Dragon in Space

SpaceX

SpaceX's Dragon separates from its Falcon 9 rocket and gracefully soars over Earth in this stunning view captured by a camera on the Falcon 9's second stage.

A New Dragon Flies

SpaceX

SpaceX's Dragon launch on April 8 marked the eight cargo mission for NASA by SpaceX. Dragon is carrying 4,000 lbs. of gear for astronauts on the International Space Station.

Ascent

NASA/Kim Shiflett

You can clearly see the landing struts folded against the body of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket (they're near the engines) this view of its launch on April 8, 2016. The legs deployed during landing as planned.

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Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.