Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A rocket built by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space company has tested technology designed to return humans to the Moon in 2024.

The New Shepard booster, developed by Blue Origin, can land vertically on the ground after returning from space.

The rocket was carrying sensors, a computer and software designed to help space vehicles perform precision landings on other planetary bodies.

Nasa wants to try the technology on Earth before it's sent to the Moon.

Tuesday's test launch was the seventh for Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle, which is designed to carry space tourists on short "sub-orbital" trips.

BBC