Atlas 5 rockets away from Florida's Space Coast

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket lifted a NASA communications satellite into orbit Thursday to expand the space agency's network of data relay spacecraft serving the International Space Station and dozens of other missions.

The 19-story rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 launch pad at 9:33 p.m. EST Thursday (0233 GMT Friday) with the 3.8-ton TDRS L spacecraft. The Atlas 5's Centaur upper stage released the payload in orbit an hour and 46 minutes later.

These photos of the Atlas 5 rocket and its dramatic nighttime launch were taken by ULA photographer Ben Cooper.

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

Photo credit: Ben Cooper / United Launch Alliance

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