In Photos: SpaceX Launches Used Falcon 9 Rocket, Dragon Capsule on CRS-13

A previously flown SpaceX Falcon 9 booster and Dragon spacecraft stand ready to launch the CRS-13 cargo mission for NASA from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2017.

The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 10:36 a.m. EST (1536 GMT) on Friday, Dec. 15.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo ship lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Dec. 15, 2017 to deliver NASA cargo to the International Space Station. Both the rocket and Dragon have flown in space before.

Flames beneath the rocket booster reflect off the water at Cape Canaveral as the Falcon 9 carries the Dragon cargo spacecraft into space. This was the first launch in more than a year from Pad 40, which was damaged by a Falcon 9 explosion during a routine preflight test on Sept. 1, 2016.

Seen here on its way to the International Space Station, the Dragon cargo spacecraft will deliver about 4,800 lbs. (2,180 kilograms) of scientific hardware and other supplies to the Expedition 54 crew.

One minute and 18 seconds into the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket reached maximum aerodynamic pressure, or “max-Q.”

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon cargo ship filled with NASA supplies soars into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Dec. 15, 2017 to deliver NASA cargo to the International Space Station.

In this view of the Falcon 9 rocket, you can see the structure of its nine-engine booster.

About 2.5 minutes into the mission, the first stage rocket booster separated from the second stage and began its return to Earth.

After stage separation, the firs stage booster began its journey back to Cape Canaveral

Less than 10 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 first stage came returned for a touchdown at Landing Zone 1, a SpaceX facility at Cape Canaveral.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket first-stage booster approaches Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

This marked the 20th successful landing for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets and the fourth time that a reused Falcon 9 rocket has landed.

About 10 minutes after launch, the Dragon cargo spacecraft was deployed in low-Earth orbit, where it will spend the next two days chasing after the International Space Station.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands ready for launch at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40 in Florida.

A look inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule and its Falcon 9 rocket.

The ISS National Lab 2017 CASIS mission patch was inspired by “Star Wars” and features droids, the Death Star and the Millennium Falcon.