This photo is one of a series taken during the Delta IV launch on July 23, 2015 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. You can see the plume of smoke left AFTER the rocket has disappeared into the atmosphere.
The United Launch Alliance rocket was lifted up on more than a million and a half pounds of thrust at 8:07 p.m. ET into clear skies.
Delta IV carried the seventh Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS7) mission for the U.S. Air Force. WGS satellites provide enhanced communication for U.S. troops in the field, according to the ULA.
WGS7 will travel more than 900 million miles in orbit during its expected 14 year lifespan.