section_path: Uses/Science and research
section_name: Science and research
paragraph_text: Science and research
  
  Sounding rockets are commonly used to carry instruments that take readings from 50 kilometers (31 mi) to 1,500 kilometers (930 mi) above the surface of the Earth. The first images of Earth from space were obtained from a V-2 rocket in 1946 (flight #13).
  
  Rocket engines are also used to propel rocket sleds along a rail at extremely high speed. The world record for this is Mach 8.5.