Amazing GoPro footage shows Nasa's rocket travelling to space and back

When it comes to sheer immersion, the rise of the GoPro camera arguably revolutionised how people are able to capture and share first-person video content.

IBTimes UK has covered a wide variety of incidents where these tiny cameras have been used – from conflict-ridden warzones to daredevil skydiving stunts to dramatic helicopter rescues. Now, fresh footage has appeared from a camera mounted on a rocket destined for near-space and brings us out of the Earth's atmosphere.

The video feed comes courtesy of Up Aerospace, which launched a 20ft (6m) SL-10 rocket into space to test the aerodynamics and stability of the Nasa-developed Maraia Capsule – while also catching a first-hand view of its re-entry through the atmosphere and back to the ground. The launch took place on 6 November at a test site in Spaceport America, New Mexico.

First uploaded to YouTube, the video reveals the rocket reached an altitude of 396,000ft (120,700m) and recorded speeds up to Mach 5.5 (3,800mph or 6,115km/h) at total engine burnout. The rocket was carrying four technology experiments for Nasa's Flight Opportunities Program.

According to Nasa, the 6 November test was "the first launch where payloads were ejected separately requiring independent re-entry under individual parachutes into the atmosphere".

Paul De Leon, Nasa Flight Opportunities Program campaign manager, said: "We had a great launch, all the payloads were exposed to the relevant environments that the researchers were seeking. The new payload deployment capability from UP Aerospace was successfully demonstrated, opening the opportunity for future entry, descent and landing technologies to be tested and matured under Flight Opportunities."

You can watch the video below, which was uploaded as part of the GoPro Awards: