NASA launches newest communication satellite

In a photo provided by NASA a United Launch Alliance Atlas V with TDRS-L atop, arrives at the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 41. The unmanned rocket is set to blast off Thursday night, Jan. 23, 2014, with the latest, third-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellite. (AP Photo/Daniel Casper)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida—NASA has launched an advanced, new communication satellite.

An unmanned rocket blasted off Thursday night from Cape Canaveral with the latest, third-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellite.

NASA uses the TDRS satellites to support the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope, among other craft. The network is 22,300 miles (35,886 kilometers) high and allows continuous two-way contact with the space station and its six inhabitants.

This newest satellite is designated “L” in the TDRS series. NASA will rename it TDRS-12 once it’s checked out in orbit, by late spring.

The satellite costs about $350 million.

NASA launched its first TDRS in 1983 aboard a space shuttle.

Thursday’s liftoff was delayed briefly by a last-minute data dropout with the rocket. Launch controllers worked around the problem.