New Mexico Rocket Payload Found

May 18th, 2007
Author Leonard David

» New Mexico Rocket Payload Found

The search for the UP Aerospace payload container is over. It was recovered today after several searches since its launch last month.

“It has been found, just fine,” explained Eric Knight of UP Aerospace. The payload section carries numbers of experiments, as well as the ashes of over 200 loved ones - including those of “Scotty” of Star Trek fame as well as NASA Mercury astronaut, Gordon Cooper.

The UP Aerospace rocket — the SpaceLoft XL — blasted off from New Mexico’s Spaceport America on April 28th — shooting high into sky and crossed over into space. The rocket and its payload then came down under individual parachutes.

While the rocket stage was found over a week ago, the SpaceLoft XL’s payload section had been lost within rough mountain terrain. Several helicopter searches failed to find the rocket hardware and its precious cargo.

More details are to follow later today, Knight told SPACE.com.

 

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