Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo has made its third rocket-powered supersonic flight in the Mojave Desert, soaring to a record 21,640m.

The company says a plane carried the reusable space vehicle to 14,000m, then released it. The craft's rocket motor took over to blast it to the highest altitude it has reached.

The craft and its two-member crew glided to a safe landing in the desert north of Los Angeles.

Virgin Galactic says the 10-minute test flight moves the company closer to its goal of flying paying passengers into space.

Hundreds of would-be tourists have made down payments for the chance to fly.

- AP