AmericaSpace Photographer has Image Selected by NASA APOD

Photo Credit: Mike Killian – AmericaSpace / ARES Institute

AmericaSpace photographer Mike Killian took this time-elapsed shot from the recent launch of an Atlas V 401 rocket with the Radiation Belt Storm Probes spacecraft onboard. NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (NASA APOD). The picture shows a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas rocket – not a Delta as the caption states. Below is NASA APOD’s caption:

This graceful arc traces a Delta rocket climbing through Thursday’s early morning skies over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, USA. Snug inside the rocket’s Centaur upper stage were NASA’s twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), now in separate orbits within planet Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts. Reflected in the Turn Basin from a vantage point about 3 miles from Space Launch Complex 41, the scene was captured in a composite of two exposures. One highlights the dramatic play of launch pad lighting, clouds, and sky. A subsequent 3 minute long exposure records the rocket’s fiery trail. While most spacecraft try to avoid the radiation belts, named for their discoverer James Van Allen, RBSP’s mission will be to explore their dynamic and harsh conditions.

2 Comments

  1. Absolutely beautiful work Mike! One more of your photos chosen for NASA’s APOD (a great site!) Congratulations!!

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