A prototype rocket which was part of NASA's program to replace its aging shuttle fleet was destroyed by fire during a test flight earlier on Saturday.

Flames were seen coming from the upper portion of the Delta Clipper rocket, also known as the DC-XA, as it was completing a one-minute test flight over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

"There was a fire on the vehicle," said NASA's Don Dumbacher. The rocket was still able to land despite the fire. The fire was subsequently extinguished by base crews.

The DC-XA is a joint venture between the American Air Force, NASA, and McDonnell Douglas Corp. with the goal of creating a reusable launch vehicle which would cut the cost of a launch from $44 million to $22 million.

NASA has said previously that the DC-XA would help bridge the gap between purely scientific uses of space vehicles to more civilian uses. The generation of vehicles after the DC-XA will likely transport civilians.

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