MUOS-4 (Atlas V) 2 September 2015 |
Space Launch Complex 41 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
The U.S. Navy’s fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-4) satellite launches into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 6:18 a.m. on 2 September 2015 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. According to the ULA press release: MUOS-4 is the fourth of a five-satellite constellation to be launched and operated by PMW 146, the Navy’s Communications Satellite Program Office. MUOS is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve ground communications to U.S. forces on the move around the globe. |
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The Atlas V launches MUOS-4 toward the approaching dawn. | |
A long distance view of the rocket trailing flames across the sky. | |
The exhaust cloud expands in the thin air of the upper atmosphere high enough now to be illuminated by the sunlight coming from below the horizon. | |
The rocket, bottom right, and the planet Venus, upper left, came together at one point. | |
A view of the exhaust cloud twisting its way across the brightening dawn sky. | |
The high altitude exhaust cloud brightly lit by the sunlight coming from below the horizon. The planet Venus is visible as a bright dot just right of center. | |
A view of the exhaust cloud a little bit later showing how it has now twisted itself into a pretzel shape. | |
Looking east just before sunrise. | |
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