An Atlas V rocket carried the US government's classified CLIO satellite into space following a successful launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

No information was provided about the nature of the classified satellite which was built for the US government by Lockheed Martin.

The Atlas expendable launch vehicles carry payloads into space that are related to weather, telecommunications and national security satellites, according to United Launch Alliance, which built the Atlas V rocket and is a joint partnership between Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

The launch occurred at 8.10pmEDT (12.10amGMT) after a delay due to cloud cover.

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