Back to the moon effort moves ahead

The new rocket blasted off after its long awaited test flight on Wednesday, taking the first step in the organization's back-to-the-moon program. Liftoff had been delayed by one day, due to poor weather.

The 100-meter Ares I-X rocket resembled a giant white pencil as it shot into the sky over Cape Ca-na-veral, Florida.

After firing its motors for just over two minutes in the test flight, the Ares I-X parachuted down into the Atlantic Ocean, where it would be recovered by a NASA ship.

This is the first time in nearly 30 years that a new rocket design has taken off from the Kennedy Space Center. The launch represents the first step in NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon.