Posted: Fri, Dec 6, 2013, 7:33 AM ET (1233 GMT)
An Atlas 5 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) late Thursday night. The Atlas 5 501 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 11:14 pm PST Thursday (2:14 am EST, 0714 GMT Friday) on a mission designated NROL-39. Neither United Launch Alliance (ULA) or NRO released any details about the mission, but ULA did declare the launch a success a few hours after liftoff. Observers speculated, based on the launch vehicle and trajectory, that the payload is the latest in a series of Future Imagery Architecture radar imaging satellites. The Atlas also carried a dozen CubeSat secondary payloads developed by government agencies and universities.

Related Links:

•  CBS News article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  Spaceflight Now article
•  AP article
•  ULA press release