On September 10, 2011 at 13:08 UTC the "Delta-2” rocket-carrier was launched by United Launch Alliance from complex 17B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA.
The rocket successfully boosted two NASA science satellites into space on looping, round-about trajectories to the Moon, the first step in an ambitious $496 million mission to map the cratered satellite's gravity and internal structure.
In one hour and 20 minutes after liftoff, the GRAIL-A (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) satellite was released from the Delta 2's second stage, followed a few minutes later by GRAIL-B. Both spacecraft will follow looping 2.6-million-mile trajectories to the Moon, a low-energy approach that allowed the use of a less expensive, medium-lift rocket. Attachments: | 
