Nasa has launched a three-stage Black Brant X suborbital sounding rocket from its Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
The mission aims to test the performance of the vehicle’s third stage Nihka motor.
The mission lasted for 27 minutes, during which the rocket launched and descended into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Black Brant X comprises a Terrier first stage, a Black Brant V second stage motor and a finless Nihka third stage motor, which ignites when the vehicle enters exoatmospheric conditions.