MUOS 1 encapsulated for launch

BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Posted: February 5, 2012


The U.S. Navy's first Mobile User Objective System satellite, dubbed MUOS 1, is encapsulated into the Swiss-made nose cone of the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket at the Astrotech spacecraft preparation facility in Titusville.

The bullet-shaped shroud protects the satellite during ascent through Earth's atmosphere and then gets jettisoned from the rocket at T+plus 3 minutes and 22 seconds.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the launch.

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance and Lockheed Martin

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