PHOTOS: Vega rocket blasts off in steady rainfall

Blasting off in a tropical downpour, Europe's second Vega launcher took off Monday night from the Guiana Space Center with three satellites for the European Space Agency, Vietnam and Estonia.

The 98-foot-tall rocket successfully deployed the satellites in two different orbits.

These photos show spectacular views of the nighttime blastoff, including eerie shots capturing raindrops suspended in the air like snowflakes.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the launch.