The Latest: 3 Canadian Radarsat satellites placed in orbit Three satellites for the Canadian Space Agency's Earth-monitoring Radarsat program have been deployed into orbit after launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif

LOS ANGELES -- The Latest on the launch of three Canadian satellites from California (all times local):

8:30 a.m.

Three satellites for the Canadian Space Agency's Earth-monitoring Radarsat program have been deployed into orbit after they were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The satellites were released Wednesday from the SpaceX Falcon 9's upper stage a few minutes apart from each other to space them apart on the same orbital plane.

The Falcon 9 lifted off from the coastal base northwest of Los Angeles at 7:17 a.m. and a few minutes later its first stage returned and successfully landed. It was the second flight for the first stage, which was used in a mission last March.

The Radarsat satellites bounce signals off the Earth's surface to create images even during adverse weather conditions.

The images are used for a wide range of purposes, including monitoring sea ice, disaster management and agricultural and forestry management.

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7:50 a.m.

SpaceX has successfully landed a Falcon 9 first stage rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, after it launched three satellites for the Canadian Space Agency's Radarsat program.

The rocket lifted off at 7:17 a.m. Wednesday and a few minutes later the first stage appeared back over the coastal base northwest of Los Angeles and descended through thick fog onto a landing zone. The booster previously was used for a launch last march.

Deployment of the three satellites was scheduled to be completed just over an hour after liftoff.

The Radarsat satellites bounce signals off the Earth's surface to create images even during adverse weather conditions.

The images are used for a wide range of purposes, including monitoring sea ice, disaster management and agricultural and forestry management.

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7:25 a.m.

Three satellites for the Canadian Space Agency's Earth-monitoring Radarsat program are heading toward orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket.

The Falcon 9 booster blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 7:17 a.m. Wednesday.

SpaceX intends to fly the rocket's first stage back to the base northwest of Los Angeles and area residents have been advised they may hear a sonic boom during its return. The booster was previously used for a launch in March.

Deployment of the three satellites is scheduled to be complete just over an hour after liftoff.

The Radarsat satellites bounce signals off the Earth's surface to create images even during adverse weather conditions.

The images are used for a wide range of purposes, including monitoring sea ice, disaster management and agricultural and forestry management.