An Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload launched early Thursday morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the Southern California coast.
Link: Watch a Vandeberg AFB Launch in Person
The spectacular overnight launch lit up the sky west of Santa Barbara at about 5:50 a.m. The rocket, embarking on a classified mission, was visible from miles away.
Watch above for video of the launch.
The 19-story tall rocket's payload included 13 CubeSats, miniature satellites for space research, according to United Launch Alliance. Nine are sponsored by the NRO and four by NASA, according to ULA.
ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space and Security.
