![Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/324915_10200651933674243_799748425_o-500x400.jpg)
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — For those used to archival footage of the early days of space flight, watching modern-day launches must seem a tad dull. These days, launches are, by and large, happening on time and as planned. Such was the case with this past week’s launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with its GPS IIF-4 payload. Conducted for the U.S. Air Force, this launch took place under blue skies, with only a few contrails making their mark across the blue.
The launch window opened at 5:38 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 15, 2013, and liftoff occurred right on time. It is always fun to watch those who have not attended a launch before. When covering the space program, after a while one gets used to the sights and sounds of launch. We can almost forget what a thrill it is to see one of these vehicles thunder off the pad and into orbit. There were a few of these folks at this launch, and the looks on their faces after the launch reminded all of us why we got into this business in the first place.
![Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/AmericaSpace-photo-of-Atlas-V-rocket-fairing-with-the-GPS-IIF4-Cape-Canaveral-Air-Force-Station-Photo-Credit-Jason-Rhian-500x333.jpg)
![Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/263317_10151376008191765_366055710_n-500x752.jpg)
![Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/AmericaSpace-photo-ULA-United-Launch-Alliance-Atlas-V-401-rocket-GPS-IIF-4-Photo-Credit-John-Studwell1-500x333.jpg)
![Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JES_4060-VAPOR-TRAIL-cw-500x291.jpg)
![Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/AmericaSpace-image-of-Atlas-V-rocket-fairing-with-the-GPS-IIF4-Cape-Canaveral-Air-Force-Station-Photo-Credit-Jason-Rhian.jpg-500x332.png)
![Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ULA-United-Launch-Alliance-Atlas-V-rocket-at-Space-Launch-Complex-41-Photo-Credit-Jason-Rhian-500x333.jpg)
![Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio](https://www.americaspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Julian-LeekDSC_0844-500x452.jpg)
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