Show presenter Zoe Salmon called in rocket expert Damian Hall to help design and build the 'Blue Peter' rocket and find a discreet launch site for the long-running show's inaugural space mission.

After months of planning, a nondescript convoy of vehicles arrived at Balavil Estate late last month to prepare the way to launch the 'Blue Peter' rocket.

A team of engineers selected a launch site in the middle of a large open glen on the estate belonging to Mr Allan Macpherson-Fletcher, and began to erect a gantry for the 28-foot-high rocket.

Weather conditions were declared perfect on May 27 for the rocket to take to the skies, and Mr Macpherson-Fletcher, Zoe and her TV crew were ushered back a safe distance to watch the launch.

Lift-off went smoothly at about 8pm, after a first attempt was delayed by a problem with a fuel leak.

Soon the craft was soaring to a height of 3,000 feet above the launch site before the carefully-planned return journey and a smooth landing near the launch site.

But that was when the drama unfolded.

First the rocket's parachute failed to deploy correctly, and then the launch team noticed it was making straight for the only exposed rocky surface for miles around... at an alarming rate.

The Blue Peter Rocket ready for lift-off near Kingussie.

Fortunately, the 'Blue Peter' rocket did not explode on landing, although it did break into two parts.

"It landed about 400 yards away from the launch site in two sections, and everything was filmed by a camera on a model aeroplane," said Mr Macpherson-Fletcher.

"We had to be careful that the rocket didn't set fire to the hill – that was my main concern – but everything went fine in that regard."

Zoe added: "I've been involved in the construction of the rocket from the start, and seeing it ready for take-off in the middle of the most breathtaking Scottish heathland made me feel pretty emotional.

"I had learned all about how rockets work, but the launch itself was so exciting, it felt more like a drama than a documentary. We have now got to decide whether it's time for Blue Peter to enter the space race!"

* The launch of the rocket can be seen on BBC 1 later today (Wednesday) in 'Blue Peter', which starts at 4.35pm.

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