The United States Air Force AEHF4 payload was successfully launched on time this morning at 12:15AM Eastern from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on an Atlas V rocket. This launch marks the 131st mission for United Launch Alliance and their 50th launch for the Air Force. It’s the 79th Atlas V rocket launch and the 9th in the 551 configuration.
It was also the 250th flight of the Centaur upper stage, a rocket system which alone has been as critical to our exploration of space as virtually any other single launch system you can think of, and then some.
As for this mission itself, it looks to have gone off without any issues. As I write this the mission is still in a coast phase before the final Centaur burn which will put the paylod into the intended orbit (thus completing the launch phase) but it, like so many other Atlas V launches, was a beauty!
The onboard camera was a real treat, even though it was a bit grainy due to the contrast of the night sky and the bright engine plumes. You were able to see payload fairing separation, SRB jettison, and more, and the views from the ground of the exhaust plume were, as always, pretty awesome.
Another solid launch for another flawless Atlas V mission. There’s a reason I’m a fan of United Launch Alliance.
Below I have the launch live stream – Tomorrow I’ll provide more launch coverage and the “launch highlights” video later today once it’s available (and I have time to!)
More to come, as alwyas, but for now, enjoy the live stream, set for about 20 seconds before launch. You can as always scroll back in it if you wish to see the pre-launch information. Enjoy!
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-4