Boeing (BA -0.14%) and Lockheed-Martin’s (LMT +2.68%) space-launch joint venture, the United Launch Alliance, or ULA, successfully launched its third rocket of 2013 into orbit yesterday. An Atlas V rocket carried a Space-Based Infrared System satellite into orbit on behalf of the U.S. Air Force, the second such satellite to be deployed after the first reached orbit in 2011.

According to a press release from ULA, this marked the 37th Atlas V mission in company history and the 69th ULA launch overall.

The Atlas V 401 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, or EELV, delivered the payload as part of an initiative to launch Defense Department and other governmental projects into orbit. ULA touts its EELV program as both adhering to schedule and delivering cost advantages over other launch systems.