Follow SpaceX Dragon's Journey Back to Earth

— -- SpaceX's Dragon cargo ship has successfully completed its journey home after spending more than a month docked at the International Space Station.

After being released by the space station's robotic arm this morning, Dragon completed three departure burns to move away from the International Space Station and begin its journey back to Earth.

The successful landing and recovery marks the sixth such mission SpaceX has carried out for NASA to the ISS. On board the spacecraft returning to Earth are several thousand pounds of cargo including crucial science experiments and equipment no longer needed at the outpost in low Earth orbit.

SpaceX will now recover the vessel before preparing for its next cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, which is set for June 26.

The supply run will be the latest following the loss of Russia's Progress supply ship last month, which malfunctioned after takeoff and later burned up when it re-entered Earth's atmosphere.