The LADEE spacecraft, which is charged with studying the lunar atmosphere and dust, soared aboard an unmanned Minotaur rocket a little before midnight.
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer or LADEE, pronounced "LA'dee," is taking a roundabout path to the moon, making three huge laps around Earth before getting close enough to pop into lunar orbit.
LADEE, which is the size of a small car, is expected to reach the moon on October 6.
Scientists want to learn the composition of the moon's ever-so-delicate atmosphere and how it might change over time. Another puzzle, dating back decades, is whether dust actually levitates from the lunar surface.
The $280 million moon-orbiting mission will last six months and end with a suicide plunge into the moon for LADEE.
The 844-pound spacecraft has three science instruments as well as laser communication test equipment that could revolutionize data relay. Nasa hopes to eventually replace its traditional radio systems with laser communications, which would mean faster bandwidth using significantly less power and smaller devices.
Wallops will be back in the spotlight in less than two weeks. The Virginia-based Orbital Sciences will make its first delivery to the International Space Station, using its own Antares rocket and Cygnus capsule. That commercial launch is scheduled for September 17.
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