NASA to launch world's largest rocket

(CNN) - NASA is set to launch the world's largest rocket Tuesday, conducting research to help return astronauts to the moon.

The 327-foot rocket, called the Ares I-X, is set to launch at 8 a.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA said. The empty rocket will help NASA collect information for future missions.

NASA's new Ares test vehicle is ready on its launch platform at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Getty Images)

"Ares I-X will bring NASA one step closer to its exploration goals to return to the moon for ambitious exploration," NASA said in statement.

The launch, which NASA is calling a test, is among four test launches of Ares I-X that will go on until 2012.

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