The first Atlas 5 at VAFB with a U.S. National Reconnaissance Office satellite lifts off at 3:02a.m. PDT Mar. 13, 2008 from SLC-3
To read more about the Mission Click Here!
This 3 minute time lapse photo shows the Atlas 5 arching southbound with the City of Lompoc in the foreground.
Beautiful weather for remote camera setup at T-9 hrs.
One hour before launch and visible is perfect from 4 miles away!
By launch time low clouds and fog moves over the launch pad!
Engine start at 3:02am PST!
This Atlas 5 had only one SRB. Only the second time that configuration has flown.
It only took a few seconds and the Atlas 5 was gone in the fog and low clouds.
From 4 miles away the Atlas 5 was visible climbing down range.
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Click on this text to see photos of the new Atlas 5's first launch!
Click here to see the first Atlas IIAS launch
from
Vandenberg AFB!
Click here to see the previous Atlas II NRO
launch
from Vandenberg AFB!
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