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

#MUOS4 Spectacular launch with angelic contrails on #AtlasV

A spectacular launch! Even though all I had to do was roll out of bed and push down my remote for my camera, I was still up early, even before the baby. The launch was super bright and nice and slow. I was listening to the launch control center and got a very good play by play. The rocket reached Mach 1 and MaxQ right before it passed over our viewable area on our balcony. I heard that the solid rockets had separated and ran across the condo. The rest of the launch gazing was spectacular! White angle-like strands of contrails were coming off the rocket, almost like a comet. What a view of the Atlas V rocket and the MUOS-4 payload as the upper stage burned in the sunrise. Nice launch United Launch Alliance!

The spine of the rocket launch. A magical contrail that was lit up by the morning sunrise approaching. It is called a Twilight phenomena. A colleague said it looks like an underwater creature. I guess it's a 'space Rorschach' image!

The angelic contrail could be seen from as far away as South Carolina. It was amazing.

Here's the standard rocket contrail, but it was really the upper atmosphere show that was magical.

The official stats:

Sept. 2

Atlas 5   •  MUOS 4

Launch time: 1018 GMT (6:18 a.m. EDT) Launch site:SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-056, launched the fourth 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 flew in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27 and Aug. 31. Read our full story. [Sept. 2]

Space!

Ryan

#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

Launch of MUOS-2 on Atlas 5 from CCAFS

It was a short launch as the rocket broke the cloud layer very fast, but it was still a great show. Photos taken from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station viewing area on the East-end of the NASA Causeway.

Launch of MUOS-2 on Atlas 5 from CCAFS 

Launch of MUOS-2 on Atlas 5 from CCAFS 

MUOS-2 on Atlas 5 breaking into the cloud deck.

The official stats from Spaceflight Now:

July 19	Atlas 5  •  MUOS 2
Launch time: 1300 GMT (9 a.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-040, launched the second 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 flew in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. See our Mission Status Center. [July 19]

Space!

Ryan