Photos: Atlas launch seen from press site

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket unleashes two million pounds of thrust at 7:19 p.m. to blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on the NROL-35 mission.

Credit: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket lifted off Friday night from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California December 12, 2014. The rocket has a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Launch occurred at 7:19 p.m. PST (10:19 p.m. EST; 0319 GMT).  REUTERS/Gene Blevins  (UNITED STATES)

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket lifted off Friday night from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California December 12, 2014. The rocket has a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Launch occurred at 7:19 p.m. PST (10:19 p.m. EST; 0319 GMT).  REUTERS/Gene Blevins  (UNITED STATES)

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket lifted off Friday night from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California December 12, 2014. The rocket has a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Launch occurred at 7:19 p.m. PST (10:19 p.m. EST; 0319 GMT).  REUTERS/Gene Blevins  (UNITED STATES)

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