Atlas 5 soars into blue skies with NRO payload
BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: April 10, 2014
An Atlas 5 rocket with a classified U.S. intelligence-gathering payload on-board lifted off from Cape Canaveral on Thursday, streaking into brilliant blue skies on a sun-splashed spring day at the Florida spaceport.
Boosted by a Russian-made RD-180 engine and four U.S.-built strap-on motors, the 20-story rocket fired to life at 1:45 p.m. EDT (1745 GMT), rapidly ascending from its oceanfront launch complex. Sound waves from the rocket's powerful propulsion system reached onlookers a few seconds later.
These photos were taken at the press viewing site approximately four-and-a-half miles south of the launch pad.
See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the mission.
Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now
Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now
Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now
Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now
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