A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying Solar Orbiter, an international cooperative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41on Feb. 9 at 11:03 p.m. EST.

Solar Orbiter will work closely with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, launched by ULA on a Delta IV Heavy rocket in 2018. Together, both spacecraft will provide a never-before-seen global view of the sun.

“The ULA team is extremely honored to launch Solar Orbiter, enabling more discovery of our sun,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “Thank you to our NASA and international mission partners for the outstanding teamwork.”

Relive the countdown and launch in our Solar Orbiter Launch Blog!