After enduring hazy conditions, the U.S. Space Force launched two satellites atop an Atlas 5 rocket
On Friday in order to test early warning and tracking systems for ballistic and hypersonic missiles as well as to launch
Image Credit:currentaffairs
a manoeuvrable spacecraft with an unspecified number of classified payloads.
The $1.1 billion USSF-12 mission, which was already running a day behind schedule due to bad weather, got off to a thunderous start at 7:15 p.m.
EDT when its United Launch Alliance rocket roared to life with 2.3 million pounds of power from its first stage engine and four strap-on boosters.
The 196-foot-tall rocket immediately ascended from pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Image Credit:spacefloghtnow
Cutting through low clouds and swiftly vanishing from view as it raced away. It left behind a stunning stream of burning exhaust.
After enduring hazy conditions, the U.S. Space Force launched two satellites atop an Atlas 5 rocket on Friday in order to test early warning and tracking systems
for ballistic and hypersonic missiles as well as to launch a manoeuvrable spacecraft with an unspecified number of classified payloads.
The first of three planned firings of the Aerojet Rocketdyne engine powering the rocket's second stage, intended to place the two satellites in a circular orbit 22,300 miles above
the equator, was finished eleven minutes later
The satellites' release from the Centaur second stage brought the journey, which was anticipated to last around six hours, to a close early on Saturday.