Residents in central Florida waking at dawn today witnessed the launch of the Atlas V rocket launch from Cape Canaveral at 6:20 am ET.
The United Launch Alliance — a private space firm — rocket carried the Morelos-3 Mexican communications satellite aloft. The launch ranks as No. 100 for ULA.
“Congratulations to Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services and Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transportation on today’s successful delivery of the Morelos-3 satellite into orbit, providing advanced telecommunications throughout Mexico.” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs in a company press release. “Today was an especially proud day for our team as we launched our 100th successful one-at-a-time mission since ULA was formed in 2006. Congratulations to the entire team including our many mission partners on this unprecedented achievement.”
ULA’s next launch is an Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), scheduled for Oct. 8 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Photos from Social Media
Updates: Atlas V blasts off from Cape Canaveral with Morelos-3 satellite http://t.co/VKoXkUq3lR pic.twitter.com/jNOvZL4FdG
— TrendingContent (@trendincontent) October 2, 2015
Atlas V rocket lifts off with Mexican satellite. http://t.co/hP8wLsuhCp (Photo: Craig Bailey, Florida Today) pic.twitter.com/JRQlyiLfsr
— USA TODAY Technology (@usatodaytech) October 2, 2015
Did you see it? Predawn rocket launch lights up Florida’s morning sky again. http://t.co/V2HEg56NbD pic.twitter.com/C9OdqGjUwT
— Ron Brackett (@rontimes) October 2, 2015
I came to Florida to see my first rocket launch and was not disappointed. via http://t.co/uvnsIOl57W #FailingTheHon… pic.twitter.com/Cj5pNOOoY5
— CodeAndCommand (@CodeAndCommand) October 2, 2015
STORY: Atlas 5 rocket launch creates dazzling sight in the sky http://t.co/Naj9QhNmuS pic.twitter.com/DvOragNnTY
— WPTV (@WPTV) October 2, 2015
See something weird in the sky? Here’s what it is: http://t.co/Nfwim4DpWH pic.twitter.com/X6mNHdIYE4
— 10 News (@WTSP10News) October 2, 2015