1.
SLV Balloon being fired.
0.05

2.
NV Pan...Along balloon.
0.10

3.
SV Semi - inflated balloon rises.
0.19

4.
NV Technicians work on rocket.
0.24

5.
LV Two inflated balloons.
0.28

6.
SV Man winches rocket to platform.
0.34

7.
CU Man winching - rocket upright.
0.37

8.
MV Technicians fix control box to rocket.
0.42

9.
MV Scientist presses button.
0.45

10.
LV Rocket skywards by balloon.
1.00

11.
LV Balloon.
1.04

12.
SLV Radio telescope aerial.
1.07

13.
MV Technicians at apparatus.
1.10

14.
CU Tape recorder working.
1.12

15.
CU Scientist at controls.
1.16



Initials PGR/V/JF/LW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Japanese scientists successfully sent a "rocketer" to an altitude of about 68 miles for the first time on June 18. The rockets (rocket-balloon) was launched from Obashi Beach, northern Japan, under favourable atmospheric conditions to test cosmic rays and upper air currents.

Twin balloons, filled with hydrogen, carried the rocket aloft. The rocket, with a control box containing observation apparatus, including cosmic ray measuring gear, was released from one balloon about half an hour after launching.

The second balloon then carried the rocket another 18 miles up before the rocket was fired by remote control from the ground. In dropped into the sea about 70 miles off-shore.