An Atlas 2AS rocket launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral on Friday morning, carrying a Japanese Superbird-6 communications satellite into orbit. The rocket lifted off at 0045 UTC (8:45 pm EDT, April 15), and the satellite was released into its transfer orbit 30 minutes later. Superbird-6 will provide video and data services across much of the Asia-Pacific region. Atlas 2AS rockets will only launch two more times before the vehicle is retired.