NASA’s new prototype rocket, Ares I-X, has successfully completed its first flight test.

NASA’s new prototype rocket, Ares I-X, launched yesterday (28 October) on its second attempt from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Ares I-X rocket was initially scheduled to launch on Tuesday but poor weather conditions meant the rocket was unable to take off in the allotted four-hour window.

It is the first flight test for the prototype rocket which is set to replace the ageing space shuttle and is the first time a new vehicle has launched from the Kennedy Space Center since 1981.

The two-minute powered flight will provide NASA with key early data about the hardware, models, facilities and ground operations associated with the launch.

The $450 million (£275m) rocket is part of NASA’s Constellation Program and will transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) after the space shuttle retires next year.

The Constellation Program also aims to explore destinations beyond low Earth orbit.

Doug Cooke, Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: “This is a huge step forward for NASA’s exploration goals.

“Ares I-X provides NASA with an enormous amount of data that will be used to improve the design and safety of the next generation of American spaceflight vehicles.”

During the flight, an onboard flight data recorder captured data and a range of performance data was relayed to the ground.

Bob Ess, Ares I-X Mission Manager, said: “The most valuable learning is through experience and observation.

“Tests such as this – from paper to flight – are vital in gaining a deeper understanding of the vehicle, from design to development.”