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The rocket lifted off at about 7:21 p.m. local time, and landed about 12 minutes later after delivering its package to orbit.

Social media immediately lit up with photos of the launch. SpaceX got in on the action themselves, sharing four photos of the dazzling light display.

Falcon 9's first West Coast land landing pic.twitter.com/zObJgzLI0C

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 8, 2018

While Musk has dealt with a host of setbacks with his car company, Tesla, including a $20 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in his personal life, including a libel lawsuit, but SpaceX has been relatively unscathed.

The company made headlines last month when Musk held a press conference to announce the first \"space tourist\" -- a Japanese billionaire who will be launched around the moon on the company's Big Falcon Rocket in 2023.

\"PHOTO:
David McNew/Getty Images
PHOTO: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (R) separates from the space craft (L) behind the rocket trail after launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the SAOCOM 1A and ITASAT 1 satellites, Oct. 7, 2018, near Santa Barbara, Calif.
>

Earlier this year, on Feb. 6, the Falcon Heavy rocket successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launching a red Tesla Roadster driven by a Starman mannequin.

SpaceX caused a bit of concern in December 2017 when they launched a similar rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Residents of Southern California were unsure of what the bright light shooting across the sky was at the time.

Panic was kept to a minimum this time as observers mostly just enjoyed the sight. The Air Force advised residents of the launch on Sunday last week.

\"PHOTO:
David McNew/Getty Images
PHOTO: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket curves around the Earth and into space after launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the SAOCOM 1A and ITASAT 1 satellites, Oct. 7, 2018, near Santa Barbara, Calif.
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