A Delta 4 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral at 6:38 p.m. EST (2338 GMT) with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. spy satellite agency. The 20-story launcher soared into space a few minutes after sunset.

These images show the Delta 4's ascent into orbit from the NASA Causeway about 2.7 miles from the launch pad. The launch was also visible more than 40 miles away at Orlando International Airport.

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News   Photo credit: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News   Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now