WATCH: Powerful Imaging Satellite Soars Into Space From Vandenberg AFB

The satellite will be able to spot the make of a car from nearly 400 miles above Earth

A rocket carrying a commercial satellite launched Friday morning from a military base along the California coast.

The satellite known as WorldView-4 is designed to produce high-resolution images of Earth from space. It was launched Friday atop an Atlas 5 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Santa Barbara.

WorldView-4 is the latest in a series of imaging satellites built by Lockheed Martin. It is operated by Colorado-based DigitalGlobe, which provides images for government and private customers.

Officials say the satellite will be able to spot the make of a car from nearly 400 miles above Earth.

The satellite was supposed to launch in September, but was delayed by a minor tank leak and two wildfires at the sprawling base.

Friday's launch was "flawless," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Human and Commercial Services.

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