- The rocket launched from Virginia
- It was expected to be visible through much of the eastern U.S.
- It carries an orbiter to gather information on the moon's atmosphere and environment
(CNN) -- NASA launched an unmanned moon orbiter Friday night to study the lunar atmosphere and environment.
The 90-foot rocket carrying the orbiter was expected to be visible to much of the eastern U.S. seaboard when it launched from Virginia, officials said earlier. If skies were clear, residents of the Carolinas, northern Maine, West Virginia and Pittsburgh could see it, authorities said.
It launched at 11:27 p.m. ET at the Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island.
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer is designed to "orbit the moon to gather detailed information about the lunar atmosphere, conditions near the surface and environmental influences on lunar dust," NASA said.
"A thorough understanding of these characteristics will address long-standing unknowns, and help scientists understand other planetary bodies as well," NASA said.
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completes 2nd powered flight
CNN's Diane Ruggiero contributed to this report.
