The MASER
11 microgravity rocket successfully launches from the Swedish Space
Corporation's (SSC) Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden.
Once the 41-ft
rocket reached its maximum height of roughly 156 miles (252 km) up, the four
onboard experiments spent 6 minutes and 26 seconds in microgravity conditions mostly free from Earth's pull. That
allowed scientists to conduct studies on fluid physics and metallurgical
processes, before the rocket fell back to Earth and deployed two separate
parachutes to safely land its cargo.
The European
Space Agency financed the experiments and was the customer for SSC, which
managed the rocket launch and recovery.
SSC and SPACE.com Staff
Credit: SSC
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