High-res commercial satellite launches from California coast

A rocket carrying a commercial satellite has launched from a military base along the California coast.

The satellite known as WorldView-4 is designed to produce high-resolution images of Earth from space. It was launched atop an Atlas 5 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base Friday.

WorldView-4 is the latest in a series of imaging satellites built by Lockheed Martin. It is operated by Colorado-based DigitalGlobe, which provides images for government and private customers.

Officials say the satellite will be able to spot the make of a car from nearly 400 miles above Earth.

The satellite was supposed to launch in September, but was delayed by a minor tank leak and two wildfires at the sprawling base.