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This morning at 10:02 a.m. EST, the Atlas V rocket with Mars Science Laboratory (a.k.a. Curiosity) encapsulated in its payload successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base. It was a beautiful launch and the HD video is above… enjoy!

MSL successfully separated from the rocket phase 44 minutes later over the Indian Ocean, and minutes later stations in Canberra received confirmation from MSL: Curiosity is going to Mars! 

After about 36 weeks of traveling interplanetary space, MSL will arrive at Mars on August 5 of next year. It will land within Gale Crater and search for evidence of an ancient ocean and the chemistry – past or present – that would indicate the red planet being conducive to life.

Video: NASA