bluShift Aerospace sent the Stardust 1.0 rocket into the sky, the world’s first commercial launch of a rocket powered by a bio-derived fuel (and the first commercial rocket launch in Maine). The Stardust is 20 feet tall, 14 inches in diameter, weighs about 650 pounds, and cost nearly $1 million to build.

The launch was delayed because it was too cold for the electronics to function properly in the rocket. Hours later, the rocket did not leave the tower during this attempt. The second attempt didn’t leave the tower either. Finally, the rocket was able to launch without issues and the payload parachute deployed in time for the materials to appear to safely reach the ground.

The rocket launched with three payloads — a scientific payload from Falmouth High School, aerospace materials from Kellogg Research Lab in New Hampshire and a Rocket Rock Bumbler and Stroopwafel from Rocket Insights in Massachusetts.

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