An Atlas 5 rocket carrying a sophisticated remote-sensing satellite headed to orbit Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Liftoff of the 19-story-tall rocket from Space Launch Complex-3 on south Vandenberg Air Force Base occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The mission employed the smallest version from United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 rocket family.
The Atlas carried the WorldView-3 satellite, touted as the most advanced commercial remote-sensing spacecraft, into orbit for DigitalGlobe.
Nancy Coleman, DigitalGlobe spokeswoman, said the satellite will provide the firm a “major step forward in our ability to fulfill our purpose to see the entire world.”
The first two WorldView satellites also launched from Vandenberg.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.