NASA Finally Launches New Rocket
By VOA News
28 October 2009
After delays of more than a day, the U.S. space agency NASA has finally launched its newest rocket, the Ares I-X.
The weather cleared Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to allow the rocket to be launched. The rocket reached speeds exceeding four times the speed of sound and an altitude of 40 kilometers during its two minute flight.
Ares left the Earth's atmosphere and sent back video before falling back to Earth. The rocket parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean, where officials say recovery operations are under way.
NASA engineers say the flight was a test of new concepts for rocket design. They hope to learn valuable information about the craft's performance from the 700 sensors it carries. The next-generation rocket is a modified version of the space shuttle's solid-fuel booster.
The mission is part of NASA's plan to return astronauts to the moon by 2020, and to transport crews and supplies to the International Space Station.
The space shuttle fleet is scheduled to be phased out next year.
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