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The world changed today.

SpaceX successfully launched its reusable Dragon capsule atop its Falcon 9 two-stage rocket, inserted the Dragon into orbit at an altitude of 180 miles, re-ignited the second stage after capsule separation, and successfully recovered the capsule in the Pacific after two orbits.

This was a launch, orbit, and recovery of a reusable capsule (and, less the "orbit" part, a reusable first stage) by a private company.

It worked.

It can be done.

There will be more.

This is just the beginning.