Rocket Launch O.K.

The High Energy Astrophysical Observatory-2, an x-ray facility astronomers say may produce far-reaching advances in astrophysical research, had a successful launch at 12:24 this morning when it was boosted into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Fla, by an Atlas-Centaur rocket.

Scientists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have been involved in planning for the mission, which is designed to enable astronomers to take high resolution x-ray photographs.