SpaceX on Monday blasted off its Falcon 9 rocket carrying satellites to orbit before attempting a historic bid to land the rocket's first stage at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

"We have liftoff of the Falcon 9," a SpaceX commentator said as the gleaming white rocket launched, against a backdrop of black night sky at 8:29 pm (0129 GMT Tuesday).

The launch marked SpaceX's first liftoff since an explosion six months ago destroyed the rocket and its cargo destined for the International Space Station.