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Added on the 13/09/2016 18:38:59 - Copyright : Reuters - Next Media
Blue Origin launches its New Shepard rocket carrying six adventurers to the final frontier for the first time in nearly two years, reigniting competition in the space tourism market after a rocket mishap put its crewed operations on hold. The passengers include Black sculptor and former Air Force pilot Ed Dwight, who was controversially spurned by NASA's astronaut corps in the 1960s. The rocket launched around 10:36 am local time (1436 GMT) from the Launch Site One base in west Texas. IMAGES
Star Trek actor William Shatner and his crewmates Chris Boshuizen, Audrey Powers, and Glen de Vries blast off to space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket in Van Horn, Texas. IMAGES
The wealthiest man on the planet Jeff Bezos lifts off on his own rocket to outer space from Launch Site One in Texas, a key moment for a fledgling industry seeking to make the final frontier accessible to elite tourists. IMAGES
SpaceX conducts a test launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, likely a final test before sending astronauts to space. IMAGES
People gather in Toulouse, in southern France, to watch the launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket, which is bound to take off from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 4pm local time (1900 GMT). IMAGES