The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into a clear blue sky at 10:25 a.m. EST (1525 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station here in Florida, carrying dozens of small satellites. 

Approximately nine minutes after the rocket leapt off its launch pad, the first stage returned to the Cape, touching down on a landing pad just miles away from where it launched. 

"Stage 1 landing is confirmed," SpaceX officials called out on the launch broadcast. 

"As you heard, the Falcon 9 has landed for the 10th time," SpaceX reliability engineering manager Kate Tice said in the broadcast. "This marks our 102nd overall recovery."