NASA Launches Rocket with Satellite into Space Tonight! (Live Stream)

Get ready for lift off. An Atlas V rocket is set to take off Wednesday night in the first launch of the year from the Space Coast. Although the launch window is currently set from 8:48 p.m. to 9:28 p.m., weather may prevent the rocket from taking off.

Currently, there is only a 60 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time. Ground winds and scattered clouds are the major concerns, but the hope is that these conditions will not prevent the rocket from its flight. If it is cancelled, the next launch is scheduled for 24 hours later. However, favorable weather on Thursday night during the same launch window is only chanced at 40 percent.

Why are they launching the rocket? On board the Atlas V is NASA's new Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-K). This is just the first of three new satellites that will replace the ones currently in orbit. A total of 10 NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellites have been launched since 1983, but only seven of those are still in orbit. This new satellite will be the first one launched since 2002. The TDRS-K will help relay voice communications and data between the International Space Station and the ground stations on Earth.

But it's not only the space station that uses these satellites. Many other NASA spacecraft, including the Hubble Space Telescope, also use these satellites. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense also uses this type of satellite technology.

The new satellite will orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth, and will be positioned roughly over Hawaii. Hopefully, bad weather won't prevent the rocket from propelling the satellite to its new location.

Want to watch the launch? Check out the live stream here.