A rocket built by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company has tested technology designed to return humans to the Moon in 2024.
The New Shepard booster, developed by Blue Origin, can land vertically on the ground after returning from space.
The rocket was carrying sensors, a computer and software designed to help space vehicles perform precision landings on other planetary bodies.
Nasa wants to see how it performs here on Earth before it’s sent to the Moon.
Tuesday’s test launch was the seventh for Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle, which is designed to carry space tourists on short “sub-orbital” trips.
It will eventually take passengers up to around 100km (62 miles) above the Earth, allowing them to experience microgravity. They will be carried up in a crew capsule mounted on top of New Shepard.
This pressurised capsule features the largest windows ever sent into space, according to the company. After reaching space, the capsule separates from the booster and both vehicles fall to Earth.
