SpaceX Rocket Launch Lights Up The Night Sky Above California

David Barden

The sky above California lit up on Sunday when Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched and landed a rocket on the west coast for the first time.

However, some Twitter users were so startled by the sight that they thought aliens were getting ready to touch down on Earth.

The return of the Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage to Earth was part of the company’s continued effort to decrease the cost of its launches by reusing rockets rather than losing them in the ocean, The Associated Press reported.

Successful landings have already occurred on land in Florida and at sea on droneships.

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The Dragon Capsule Up-Close

The <a href="http://www.spacex.com/SpaceX_Brochure_V7_All.pdf" target="_hplink">Dragon capsule</a> is only about 20 feet long, has a max diameter of 12.1 feet and weighs 9,260 lbs. It can carry 13,228 lbs up to space and 6,612 lbs down from space. The capsule was designed so that, eventually, it will be able to bring <a href="http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php" target="_hplink">as many as seven passengers</a> up to orbit.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Model

A computer rendering of the SpaceX Dragon capsule shows its deployed solar panels, which <a href="http://www.spacex.com/downloads/dragonlab-datasheet.pdf" target="_hplink">help power the vehicle</a>.
A computer rendering of the SpaceX Dragon capsule shows its deployed solar panels, which help power the vehicle.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Launch Specs

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches

SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket, which carried the Dragon capsule up to space, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/spacex-launch-falcon-9-rocket-space-x-dragon-capsule-video_n_1534512.html" target="_hplink">on May 22</a>. The original <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/19/spacex-launch-abort-faulty-rocket-valve_n_1530487.html" target="_hplink">May 19 launch was delayed</a> because of an engine problem.

Dragon Capsule Before The Dock

SpaceX's Dragon capsule flew over West Africa early on May 25, not long before it finally docked at the International Space Station.
SpaceX's Dragon capsule flew over West Africa early on May 25, not long before it finally docked at the International Space Station.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Approaches ISS

Early on May 25, the Dragon capsule made its slow approach to the International Space Station.
Early on May 25, the Dragon capsule made its slow approach to the International Space Station.

Dragon Capsule Docks

SpaceX Dragon capsule finally docked at the International Space Station over Australia at 9:56 a.m. ET. The capsule was captured by a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/24/usa-spaceship-idUSL1E8GOHM320120524" target="_hplink">58-foot long robotic arm</a> attached to the station, which will reel in the capsule and its cargo of about <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/24/usa-spaceship-idUSL1E8GOHM320120524" target="_hplink">1,200 lbs of food, water, clothing and supplies</a>.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.