Speedy rocket soars to kick off weekend #MUOS5 #AtlasV #TGIF

The view from the ITL was... well short. But amazing of course. Any time you can watch a rocket launch from up close is going to be a good memory. I brought out my big lens to capture the launch, I believe it was my first time using it to capture one up close. Granted all professional media photos are way better than mine, I still like to capture one or two moments through the lens each launch. This Atlas V configuration had 5 solid rockets sending the MUOS-5 satellite into orbit, meaning it had a big thrust-kick right off the pad and towards the sun, which not the best angle for shots, but I saw a few creative lens flares out there. Congrats to United Launch Alliance again, what a great way to start off Jen's birthday weekend!

My tweet text: Cleared the tower. #MUOS5 on it's way to orbit hitching a ride on #AtlasV rocket with @ulalaunch this morning. #TGIF

My best pics of #DSCOVR launch. 3rd time's a charm for @SpaceX #Falcon9

We experienced a beautiful +SpaceX launch of DSCOVR as the sun set behind us. It was my third trip to the ITL Causeway, 2nd for +Jen Kobrick (and #BabyK) and +Caley Burke. This was the 32nd launch since we moved to Florida (Sept 2012). The rocket jumped off the pad, gave a booming crackle, and had a long flight in perfect view on a clear evening. The most amazing part was seeing the first stage re-light just above the Delta IV launchpad in the far distance as SpaceX was practicing their landing maneuver out in open water, a critical step in rocket reusability (mostly to reuse the 9 engines). The seas were rough, so they didn't attempt to land on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (barge) newly named "Just Read the Instructions" as a sci-fi tribute. As per usual, I like to retell the story with photos:

Feb 8 - Scrub #1 - The plan: a romantic kiss on date night with the launch behind us.  But a squishy nose scrub kiss is just as good.

#MUOS3 launch on #AtlasV from the ITL Causeway

A spectacular night launch once again (really, can a night launch suck?) and I watched with my friend Ryan from the CCAFS ITL Causeway. I have to admit that I didn't read up on the launch before hand, but I did know there were 5 solid rockets in this Atlas configuration. This was the 31st launch since Jen and I moved to Florida in Sept. 2012, 28 of which I've watched (29 if you include hearing it in the middle of the night).

I'm pretty happy about this fluke exposure during the launch countdown and I inadvertently learned a zoom trick for focusing the lens. 

This is a composite of two 30-second exposures overlaid on a dark exposure. Playing with the filters, this one stood out as a fire bird heading to space.

The rocket is actually heading towards the bottom of the image. Orion is in the top right corner. There are three 30-second exposures overlaid.

The official stats:

Jan. 20/21Atlas 5 • MUOS 3

Launch time: 0043-0127 GMT on 21st (7:43-8:27 p.m. EST on 20th)

Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-052, will launch the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket will fly in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [Jan. 12]

Space!

Ryan

CLIO launch to space on an Atlas 5

Seth and I watched from the CCAFS ITL Causeway, it was his first launch up close even though he has lived in Florida his whole life. The window started at 5:44pm and the weather delays pushed it right to the window end at 8:10pm. It was a beautiful night launch. I was busy giving everyone around us updates and unfortunately I had my camera turned off for the most important few minutes, the actual launch! That photo-miss left a bitter taste in my mouth, but that would be soon forgotten with the upcoming SpaceX launch of CRS-4! I did happen to get the launch on my iPhone in "HD" and it was really cool to be able to see the rocket's flame through the cloud deck as it streaked away and punched through each layer. It's also fun to watch the lens flare in the video. We also saw a large alligator swimming back and forth along the inlet watching the launch watchers. There was a Dolphin to the south as well for the full nature show. Seth was super excited about the experience (so was I except missing the photo) and that's what launch viewing is all about!

Rocket avec gator.

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The official stats:

Sept. 16/17	Atlas 5  •  CLIO
Launch time: 0010 GMT on 17th (8:10 p.m. EDT on 16th) Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-049, launched the CLIO mission on a commercial flight for a U.S. government customer. See our Mission Status Center. [Sept. 16]

Space!

Ryan