Spacewatch: reusable rocket sends Nasa experiments into space

New Shepard reaches altitude of 67 miles before returning to make soft landing on Earth

Private company Blue Origin successfully launched a reusable rocket carrying eight Nasa-sponsored experiments to the edge of space on Wednesday. Lift-off took place at 15:05 GMT (09:05 CST) from its dedicated launch site in west Texas.

The whole mission lasted just 10 mins 15s. After reaching an altitude of 107km (67 miles) the New Shepard rocket returned to Earth to make a soft landing. The capsule carrying the Nasa experiments separated at the highest point of the flight and parachuted back to Earth. The experiments were created by Nasa and American universities.