Article Posted on : - Apr 04, 2014

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force's DMSP-19 satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. A ULA photo

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE (AP): A US military weather satellite has been launched from California.

An Atlas V rocket carrying the Defence Meteorological Satellite Program-19 spacecraft blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 1446 GMT Thursday, headed for a polar orbit.

United Launch Alliance webcast commentator Matt Donovan said the satellite was later successfully separated from the rocket's upper stage.

The Air Force says the programme's satellites have been the primary provider of terrestrial and space weather information to the US military for 50 years.

The satellite is built by Lockheed Martin.