(Launch photo courtesy SpaceX)

     Updated--A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into clear dark skies from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County Thursday night.

     Liftoff was right on time at 8:20 PM PDT.

     The payload were spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.

     Because of the National Security nature of the payload the live video feed did not include the second stage or satellite deployment.

     The first stage ended its 20th flight by returning to a landing on the drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast.