Blue Origin has successfully launched its huge rocket with a pair of NASA spacecraft destined for Mars.
The 98-metre New Glenn blasted into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending twin Mars orbiters on a journey to the red planet.
The launch followed several days of delays due to cloudy skies and a geomagnetic storm.
The space venture of billionaire Jeff Bezos achieved a key engineering objective when its reusable first-stage booster separated from the rocket’s upper stage minutes after launch and flew back to Earth.
Cheers erupted in mission control when it touched down safely on a barge in the Atlantic.
An ecstatic Bezos watched the action from Launch Control.
About 20 minutes later, it was confirmed that New Glenn’s upper stage had achieved its primary mission: deployment of NASA’s twin Escapade spacecraft into outer space to embark on a 22-month voyage to Mars.
AP/Reuters
