South Korean spacecraft launched to the moon

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, lifts off from Cape Canaveral (John Raoux/AP)

South Korea has joined the stampede to the moon with the launch of a lunar orbiter that will scout out future landing spots.

The satellite launched by SpaceX is taking a long, roundabout path to conserve fuel and will arrive in December.