NASA's attempt to probe dark voids in space unsuccessful

A NASA sounding rocket - launched to study the intergalactic medium pervading the dark voids between galaxies in our universe - failed to collect any data due to a possible glitch in its attitude control system.

The Dual-channel Extreme Ultraviolet Continuum Experiment ( DEUCE) was launched on October 30, from New Mexico.

The Black Brant IX sounding rocket performed nominally, NASA said.

"However, science data was not obtained because of a possible issue with the attitude control system. The payload descended by parachute and was recovered. The Sounding Rocket Program Office is investigating the anomaly," the US space agency said in a statement.

The sounding rocket was supposed to complete a fifteen- minute flight. It was equipped with special ultraviolet optics, which would have helped shed light on the nature of intergalactic medium ( IGM).

Spread out over unfathomable distances, IGM is a cold, diffuse gas between galaxies that hardly emits any light, making it difficult to study.

The DEUCE was to measure starlight from a pair of nearby hot stars in the constellation Canis Major, aiming to help researchers understand how the IGM got to its current state.