VLS-1 rocket sits on launch mount prior to liftoff. Photo: Brazilian Space Agency

Brazil's VLS-1 rocket failed Saturday in a launch designed to place a research satellite into space and kick-start the country's space program.

The rocket lifted off at 1830 GMT (1:30 p.m. EST) from the Alcantara Launch Center near Sao Luis.

But just minutes later, the rocket's second stage failed to ignite, officials said in news reports.

"It was a perfect launch, but for some reason the second stage didn't ignite," Gen. Tiago Ribeiro said according to The Associated Press.

Safety personnel sent commands to destroy the rocket 200 seconds into flight, sending debris raining down to the Atlantic Ocean.

The $7.5 million rocket was carrying the SACI-2 satellite slated to study the atmosphere.

Saturday's failure was the second for the VLS-1 rocket, which malfunctioned in 1997 when one of the first stage strap-on boosters did not ignite.

"This was better than the last time," Marcio Barbosa, director of Brazil's National Space Research Institute said according to AP. "We've advanced a little."