NASA has launched its first moon shot in a decade, sending up a pair of unnamed science probes.
The liftoff occurred just one month and two days shy of the 40th anniversary of the first lunar footprints.
The mission is a first step in NASA's effort to return humans to the moon by 2020.
Vern Thorp, missions Program Manager, highlights the significance of the mission.
"I think we are doing things on the mission that a launch vehicle has never tried to do before in space.
Another thing that makes this mission very interesting for us is it's actually a return to our roots, if you will.
" The two spacecraft should reach the moon in four to five days -- or by early next week.
The probes will help determine where astronauts could land and set up camp in years to come.
