VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Atlas 2AS rocket successfully lifted off Dec. 2 at 5:04 a.m. EST (1004 GMT) from its West Coast launch site, releasing a national security payload into transfer orbit 74 minutes later.

The liftoff from Launch Complex 3E for the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was designated AC-164 and was the fourth Atlas mission this year.

The space shot also marked the last time this particular version of the Atlas rocket will blast off from California. Lockheed Martin will begin refurbishing the complex for its Atlas 5 rocket, with first launch expected in 2005.

CREDIT: International Launch Services