NASA launched an experimental payload on an UP Aerospace-built sounding rocket June 21 from Spaceport America in Las Cruces, N.M.
The rocket, the SpaceLoft 7, launched at 7:57 a.m. local time, flew to an altitude of 119 kilometers and was recovered within the designated safety area, according to David Wilson, a spokesman for Spaceport America.
The flight was expected to last about 15 minutes, according to a June 17 NASA press release.
The SpaceLoft 7 carried several experiments including an aircraft tracking device for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, an instrument to study nanoparticle migration from DTM Technologies of Italy, and two high school science experiments.
UP Aerospace of Denver is one of eight companies with NASA contracts to fly experiments into suborbital space. The launch was the first under NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program, a matchmaking service that connects suborbital flight operators with payload owners.
