Wallops Flight Facility, a NASA launch facility located at Wallops Island in Virginia, has been witness to over sixteen thousand launches. These launches have varied in many ways, sending off a myriad of vessels ranging from airplanes to spaceflights. Now, they can add another successful one to their long list. On Sunday morning the island center launched a Department of Defense Rocket out of this world and into the stratosphere.

Not many people were aware of the launch, and Beta Wired reports that was done on purpose. Before the launch, the Department of Defense (DOD) requested that the details about the launch be kept relatively secret. They did this by, not only requesting that the live launch not be broadcasted on the internet, but also by stating they did not want any real-time status updates to be made during the launch. These measures also meant keeping the facility’s visitor center closed off as well. NASA complied with these demands, and details were kept largely under wraps.

The rocket itself, which is classified as a Terrier-Lynx suborbital rocket, seems that it was launched for research purposes. The vessel is assumed to be carrying different research apparatuses, which will be made use of by astronauts and space teams. This launch is one of many that the center has made over the years to help supply the International Space Station.

After being delayed for two weeks, this launch is a success for both NASA and Wallops Island, which also houses the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, another facility designed to launch space crafts. The Goddard Space Center in Maryland, which administrates the island, is also happy to have the launch go well after the delay. In the long term this launch will just be one of the many, but is a relief for many. The next launch to leave Wallops Island will be the Antares rocket which is set to leave October 24th.