The U.S. space agency's newest rocket, the Ares I-X, was launched on its first test flight Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch had been delayed 24 hours because of unacceptable Tuesday weather conditions. Before Wednesday's launch, forecasters said they were again concerned with the potential for triboelectrification -- a condition in which cloud particles or precipitation cause a buildup of static on the space vehicle, interfering with telemetry communications. But after several delays, NASA finally decided all concerns were within safety parameters.

Although initial plans were for an 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday launch, the countdown was also delayed, in part, by the necessity to recheck equipment after several lighting strikes occurred overnight. NASA scientists said 154 lightning strikes were recorded within about 6 miles of the launch pad, the closest about 700 yards from the rocket. However, all of the rocket's systems were checked and none appeared affected by the overnight storms, officials said.

The rocket, developing 3 million pounds of thrust, finally lifted off at 11:30 a.m. EDT, soaring about 28 miles in altitude before falling into the Atlantic Ocean.

The space agency said the mission was designed to not only verify computer and wind tunnel models, but also to gather data to help rocket science in general. Approximately 725 sensors were placed throughout the 1.8-million-pound, 327-foot-tall spacecraft to collect data for use in future exploration missions.

The Ares I-X rocket included four active, reusable solid rocket motors derived from the space shuttle program, topped by a simulated fifth booster segment, officials said. The reusable components were to be recovered from the Atlantic Ocean following the test flight.