While in Florida for a conference, I noticed that there was going to be a launch that week. The launch was scheduled for 12:15 on Launch Complex LC-41 which is located on the far east side of the Cape. Most of the viewing locations would be closed because of the time of day. A co-worker recommended going to Port Canaveral. From there you have a clear line up the Banana River to LC-41. When we arrived, about 25 minutes before the launch, there was already a line of cars waiting. We took the last spot before the end of the guardrail at a point where we could see the Atlas V rocket on the launch pad illuminated brightly against the night sky.
I set up my camera on a tripod. The distance and dark made it very difficult to focus and get the exposure right. I forgot to set up my iPhone to video the launch. We listened to the countdown proceed to an on-time launch. We saw the launch a few seconds before hearing the countdown made it to lift-off. The launch lit up the sky in silence. I snapped a few pictures as the rocket rose and headed right, east downrange. About the same time as the rocket as above us at about the 2 o’clock position, the sound from the launch finally hit. It was a rumble like a jet engine. It lacked the deep low rumble of a space shuttle launch.
As the rocket raced eastward, we could see the separation of the boosters as a pair of red glows at first, then four. The rocket continued to race away as just a yellow dot.
It was a great experience. The viewing location was just about perfect. A night launch is a special experience. It reminded me of the first space shuttle night launch back in the 80s. On that night to see the launch I just needed to walk out to my front yard and look down the street.
MISSION
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket is set to launch a communications satellite, the fourth in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) series. The launch is for the United States Air Force and will provide secure connections between U.S. national leadership and deployed forces.
