Successful escape, landing for Blue Origin's rocket

Blue Origin, the aerospace company headed by Amazon.com chief Jeff Bezos, ran a successful test Wednesday of an emergency escape function, aimed at saving space travelers' lives in case of catastrophe. The New Shepard rocket blasted off from a Texas launchpad, then its unmanned capsule separated in mid-air about 45 seconds after liftoff, at a height of some 16,000 feet (4,900 meters). "All astronauts on board would have had a pretty exhilarating ride, but a safe ride," said a commentator on Blue