Close-up snapshots of last week's Atlas 5 launch

BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: August 18, 2014

An Atlas 5 launcher rocketed into space Aug. 13 with the eagle-eyed WorldView 3 satellite, the most powerful commercial Earth-observing craft ever put into orbit.

The kerosene-fueled RD-180 engine on the Atlas 5's first stage roared to life at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to propel that rocket skyward at 11:30:30 a.m. PDT (2:30:30 p.m. EDT; 1830:30 GMT).

These views from United Launch Alliance's photographer show the rocket's blastoff from the launch site on California's Central Coast.

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

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Expedition 29 Patch

Space models

Spaceflight Now Plus

Space video for your computer, iPod or big screen TV

Experience the space program like never before become a subscriber today