Photos: Atlas 5 rocket aims for International Space Station

For the fifth time in four years, a massive U.S. Navy satellite will launch atop an Atlas 5 rocket on Friday to finish the military’s new $7.7 billion mobile communications framework 22,300 miles in space.

Working via remote control this spring, scientists will spark a fire aboard the unmanned Cygnus cargo ship that launches Tuesday to study how the deliberate flames spread in weightlessness.

A government communications satellite to link Indian citizens with telemedicine, education, and other services rocketed into orbit Thursday on an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.