SpaceX successfully tests emergency landing
California's SpaceX company has successfully carried out a crucial test to determine if its astronaut capsule can be returned safely to Earth in an emergency.
The uncrewed (on this occasion) Dragon capsule - an acorn-shaped pod that can carry up to seven astronauts - fired thrusters to detach itself from a Falcon-9 rocket. It then used parachutes to bring itself to a gentle splash-down in the ocean a few minutes later.