WATCH: SpaceX Launches Satellite, Lands Unmanned Rocket on Ship... Again

HAWTHORNE, CA — SpaceX has done it again.

During a mission to launch a commercial communications satellite into orbit, the company successfully landed one of its Falcon 9 rockets onto an unmanned drone ship.

SpaceX made history on April 8 when it landed a rocket on a floating platform for the first time. Now the company has done it twice in the span of a month.

The successful landings are big achievements for a company that wants to put people on Mars one day.

Friday's launch may even be more impressive considering the speed at which the rocket was traveling when it landed.

"Given this mission’s GTO destination, the first-stage will be subject to extreme velocities and re-entry heating, making a successful landing unlikely," according to the SpaceX the press release.

The unexpected landing, and resulting outburst of applause, is captured at the 38 minute mark of the video above.

The rocket was launched around 1:20 early Friday morning Eastern time from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Just minutes after the launch, the rocket separated from its payload before making its return voyage and eventually landing on the droneship named “Of Course I Still Love You."

The launch of the satellite, known as JCSAT-14 was also a success. The JCSAT-14 satellite "is a Space Systems Loral (SSL) telecommunications satellite that will succeed and replace JCSAT-2A, providing coverage to Asia, Russia, Oceania and the Pacific Islands," read a SpaceX press release.

[Photo/video courtesy of SpaceX]