Reuse ushers in new era

In December 2015, the US company SpaceX sensationally took rockets into a new era with the successful test of the reusable Falcon 9. The rocket’s booster stages can lift off and land again, paving the way for much cheaper space missions. A conventional rocket costs over $100 million, whereas a SpaceX reusable rocket may one day be able to offer commercial clients access to space at 1/10th of this price.