This is the launch of a missile defense interceptor on Friday. The interceptor launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and flew over the Pacific Ocean to reach the target missile launched from Kodiak Alaska.
The interceptor consists of two parts. A three stage booster rocket lifts it out of the atmosphere. When it gets to space the kill vehicle separates from the booster and intercepts the target missile. The kill vehicle is a bullet, meaning it doesn’t have explosives on it. The incoming warhead is destroyed by the force of the collision.
The test was successful so you won’t hear much about it on the news.
