Atlas V Launch Flare
by AnnaJo Vahle
Title
Atlas V Launch Flare
Artist
AnnaJo Vahle
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Atlas V Launch, Sept 2, 2015
It was pre-dawn starry sky when I was enjoying my morning coffee on the back porch. I saw this fantastic sight while in my backyard. I think that it was one of the prettiest launches that I have ever seen. I live five miles from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. I have seen many launches over the past thirty years. In fact, many years ago, I used to be a drafter for the Atlas Space Program.
About five minutes after launch, the second-stage ignition created a huge, bright-white cloud backlit by the first rays of sunrise. In the wake of the June 28 explosion of a SpaceX rocket, some observers wondered if the Atlas V had failed as well.
But that was not the case. Those moments were calmly described by ULA commentator Marty Malinowski as, we have ignition and full thrust ... engine response looks good. This is a photo I took of that moment from my backyard here on Merritt Island. I used my I-phone.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket has successfully delivered the Navy's military satellite to orbit. It blasted off at 6:18 a.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launching 19 minutes later than planned, after resolving a technical problem during fueling, the rocket lit up the dark sky. It launched from Launch Complex 41 with 2.5 million pounds of thrust.
The system is designed to help troops on the move and in combat make secure calls and send texts, video or other mission data. It enables hand-held radios in the field to work much like smartphones. Using commercial cellphone technology, the MUOS program promises a tenfold increase in capacity for the Navy's narrowband communications network. The capability is about 18 months behind schedule. However, it won't be deemed fully operational until late next year or early 2017.
The program is overcoming challenges developing the new technology and integrating it with a network of four ground stations and thousands of Army radios that will be upgraded to use the improved communications capabilities. The fourth MUOS satellite...the second launched by United Launch Alliance this year...gives the constellation nearly global coverage. That will allow troops to communicate with commanders wherever they are. They will no longer be limited to connections within a single satellite's footprint. After three burns by the rocket's Centaur upper stage engine, the 15,000 pound spacecraft separated as planned just under three hours after liftoff.
The mission was delayed two days by Tropical Storm Erika as it approached Florida.
5/24/21 Tied for third place in CONTEST 5 MAY 2021 DUSK TO DAWN PHOTO
3/7/22.. 2d place win in the Atlas contest
1/18/23...1st place tie in BEST PAST LAUNCH PHOTOS
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September 2nd, 2015
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Viewed 818 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/29/2024 at 4:22 AM
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Comments (15)
Sarah Irland
Congratulations, AnnaJo, on your Win in the Best Launch Photos Contest for this wonderful photograph! Voted. L/F
Marvin Spates
What a truly awesome image AnnaJo!!! I have lived in Florida all my life but I have never been there for a live lift off. Now that SpaceX is perfecting things, I may make a drive one day to take a look for myself. I would love see what it sounds like!!! I envy you being so close!!
Robyn King
Congratulations your amazing & beautiful work is being featured in The World We See Group :-)