Photo Feature: Launch of GPS IIF-4

Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com
Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com

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
Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio
Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio
Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com
Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com
Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace
Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio
Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio

 

 

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