United Launch Alliance (ULA), Ball Aerospace and non-profit organisation Space Foundation have sponsored the launch of Future Heavy, a new high-power sport rocket.

Built by ULA interns, the 50ft-tall rocket was launched from Fort Carson, Colorado, US.

Future Heavy carried four payloads, including onboard experiments and instruments built by interns at Ball Aerospace and additional payloads made by 15 K-12 students from across the state.

The additional payloads include a kindergarten experiment in solar physics, as well as an approximation of the Mars Curiosity rover's entry, descent and landing when it landed on Mars.

"The Student Rocket Launch offers students from kindergarten through graduate school a hands-on opportunity to design, test and ultimately launch their creations."

Weighing more than 1,200lb, the payloads have produced 6,600lb of thrust off the launch pad.

The launch was aimed at simulating a real-life launch campaign and encourages students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

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United Launch Alliance president and CEO Tory Bruno said: "The Student Rocket Launch offers students from kindergarten through graduate school a hands-on opportunity to design, test and ultimately launch their creations, a simulation of the multi-year missions ULA works with our customers."

A total of 68 interns and 22 mentors from ULA, as well as 37 interns and 19 mentors from Ball have designed, built and tested the rockets and the payloads before the launch.

Established in 1983, Space Foundation is currently organising an annual event, Space Symposium, to encourage its mission to support space-related endeavours.

Image: The Future Heavy rocket blasts off from Fort Carson, Colorado, US. Photo: courtesy of United Launch Alliance.