Awesome Launch Photos: US Navy's MUOS-4 Satellite Streaks Into Space

An Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-4 satellite took off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 6:18 a.m. EDT (1018 GMT).

The MUOS-4 satellite launched aboard an Atlas V rocket on Sept. 2, 2015. The rocket trail reflected sunlight in the early dawn hours to create this stunning aerial light show.

An Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-4 satellite took off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 6:18 a.m. EDT (1018 GMT). This long exposure…Read More » snapshot captured the streak of the rocket’s fiery tail across the predawn sky. Credit: United Launch Alliance.    Less «

An Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-4 mission for the U.S. Navy awaits liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Sept. 2, 2015.

An Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-4 mission for the U.S. Navy lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Sept. 2, 2015.

An Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-4 mission for the U.S. Navy lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Sept. 2, 2015.

The U.S. Navy’s fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-4) satellite is encapsulated inside a 5-meter (16 feet) payload fairing in preparation for launch on an Atlas V rocket.

Lockheed Martin, the company that built the MUOS satellites, created this graphic to show how the MUOS communications array benefits the U.S. military.

An artist’s illustration of the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System satellite in orbit.