Photos: Ride along with the Atlas during ascent

January 22, 2015 Justin Ray

Cameras mounted aboard the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket provided remarkable views of the nighttime ascent Tuesday, from liftoff through deployment of the U.S. Navy’s MUOS No. 3 mobile communications satellite.

Main engine start.
Main engine start.
Liftoff!
Liftoff!
Solids burning well.
Solids burning well.
Separating the SRBs.
Separating the SRBs.
First stage jettison from the Centaur.
First stage jettison from the Centaur.
Ignition of the Centaur engine lights up the discarded first stage.
Ignition of the Centaur engine lights up the discarded first stage.
The RL10C-1 engine nozzle glows with heat.
The RL10C-1 engine nozzle glows with heat.
MUOS 3 is delivered to orbit and deployed.
MUOS 3 is delivered to orbit and deployed.

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