The United States has launched a new spy satellite that is thought to be capable of producing high-resolution images of military and terrorist facilities around the world.

According to CNN, the largest space rocket ever launched from the West Coast of the U.S. blasted off from an Air Force base in California on Thursday afternoon carrying a new "national security" satellite.

The report says the 23-story tall Delta IV rocket delivered into orbit a satellite for the United States’ National Reconnaissance Office. The office noted that this is the third in a series of six satellite launches planned to take place over a seven- to eight-month period. The next launch is scheduled for February fifth.

Analysts say the satellite could be capable of seeing images as small as a human fist from hundreds of miles away.