A Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket successfully launched the Spanish Hispasat 1C communications satellite into space on February 3 from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Images: Lockheed Martin TV/Spaceflight Now.

Ready to fly The mobile service tower is rolled back at pad 36B about three hours prior to launch. Once retracted, the pad was cleared of workers so the rocket could be fueled.
Fueled up Super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen cryogenics were pumped into the Atlas and Centaur stages during the final hours of the countdown, as seen by the streaming vapors.
Passenger on top The Spanish Hispasat 1C spacecraft is tucked inside the 14-foot diameter payload fairing top the rocket.
Darkness falls Nightfall approaches as the sun sets over Cape Canaveral Air Station. The launch window opened seven minutes after sunset.
Ignition! The three liquid-fueled engines on the Atlas booster are ignited in the final two seconds of the countdown.
Away we go The Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS vehicle, equipped with strap-on solid rocket boosters, lifts off from pad 36B at Cape Canaveral Air Station after a 20-minute delay.
Into the clouds The Atlas rocket vanishes into a low cloud deck over Cape Canaveral moments after liftoff.