Atlas V rocket carrying NASA communications satellite launches

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasted off Friday morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The rocket delivered into space the TDRS-M communications and data relay satellite for NASA.

The satellite, which was built by Boeing, will allow scientists, engineers and control room staff to access data for missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station.

Watch the rocket launch below:

Visitor Bruce Tollefson said he traveled to Brevard County one day early to witness the launch.

"We are here in town to catch a cruise ship tomorrow, and the launch is this morning," he said. "I thought I would come down a little earlier and see it."

The launch window opened at 8:03 a.m., but a thermal issues postponed the launch until 8:29 a.m.

Spectator Thomas Barrett said the launch was well worth the wait.

"You could feel the rumble," he said. "(It was) very exciting. (It was) my first time actually being this close to a launch."

Barrett said he'll return for the next launch.

"I think that we need to keep on supporting NASA and us reaching space," he said.

Cox Media Group