American space agency NASA has successfully launched a sounding rocket from its Wallops Flight Facility. The launch on Wednesday evening was the first from the site since explosion of an Antares rocket last year.

As per NASA officials, the recent launch mission is designed to test new technology with the aim of making future space missions cost-effective and safer.

The agency officials said in a statement that the suborbital Black Brant IX sounding rocket flight will test the performance of the Black Brant motor in a two-stage configuration.

Scientists associated with the mission will also be testing a new method of developing payloads that creates the most forward part in one step. Presently used conventional machined and welded construction process is costly, and also increases weight and introduces more risk, said the agency.

Orbital ATK, a private contractor that uses Wallops for International Space Station resupply missions, will also use the vehicle to test three different materials can be helpful for future aerospace and defense products.

Officials said the rocket will also release vapor clouds using its new ejection system about six minutes after launch. These clouds produced by the rocket will be used to study wind in space and in the ionosphere.

Researchers said this new system will also allow researchers study wider areas during future launches. The vapor, which is to be released about 130 miles above the Earth, will contain a barium-strontium mixture that produces a cloud with a mix of blue-green and red colors, they added.