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SpaceX Looks To Launch Space Weather Satellite, Land Rocket

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CAPE CANAVERAL (AP) — SpaceX is aiming for both a launch and landing within minutes of each other Sunday.

The California-based company led by billionaire Elon Musk is set to launch an unmanned Falcon 9 rocket at sunset from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

On board is the Deep Space Climate Observatory, which will head to a destination 1 million miles away. It's designed to monitor solar outbursts that could disrupt life here on Earth.

NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Air Force have teamed up for the $340 million mission.

As soon as the main booster completes its lifting job, it will attempt to fly to a platform floating nearly 400 miles off the Florida coast.

It will be the second such landing test for SpaceX. Last month's effort ended in flames.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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