Launch News AEHF-2 atop Atlas V-531 (AV-031) on May 4, 2012

[ED_4]

After watching this particular launch 'live', it seems oddly a different feel now watching any short recording of it.

That live feed was nearly 1 hour long, from liftoff to spacecraft separation. And I came in the live-feed just a few minutes before liftoff. Though I wasn't really there in person, I guess it's like being in mission control as it was happening.

No explosion or any other mishap on this launch. Overall, a nice successful launch. :thumbup:

P.S.
And that secondary stage rocket is now added to the list of floating space junk up there.

 

[orb]

After watching this particular launch 'live', it seems oddly a different feel now watching any short recording of it.

That live feed was nearly 1 hour long, from liftoff to spacecraft separation. And I came in the live-feed just a few minutes before liftoff. Though I wasn't really there in person, I guess it's like being in mission control as it was happening.

You didn't watch for the half of the day on the Spaceflight Now's livestream the rocket just standing on the pad, and tanking? :lol:

 

[Codz]

After watching this particular launch 'live', it seems oddly a different feel now watching any short recording of it.

That live feed was nearly 1 hour long, from liftoff to spacecraft separation. And I came in the live-feed just a few minutes before liftoff. Though I wasn't really there in person, I guess it's like being in mission control as it was happening.

No explosion or any other mishap on this launch. Overall, a nice successful launch. :thumbup:

P.S.
And that secondary stage rocket is now added to the list of floating space junk up there.

No different than any other unmanned live launch...

 

[orb]

Launch photos

Spaceflight Now:

• Satellite for secure war-time communications goes up
  
  
• Atlas 5 rocket launches AEHF 2 military satellite (PHOTO GALLERY)

United Launch Alliance:

 

[N_Molson]

Very nice. The blue of the sky and the sea are magnificent. :thumbup:

 

[edkyle99]

And that secondary stage rocket is now added to the list of floating space junk up there.

Some reports suggest that the Centaur stage was deorbited.

- Ed Kyle

 

[mojoey]

You didn't watch for the half of the day on the Spaceflight Now's livestream the rocket just standing on the pad, and tanking? :lol:

He's still new 'round these parts, give it time...give it time.

 

[gwiz]

Some reports suggest that the Centaur stage was deorbited.

- Ed Kyle

A revised TLE has been issued showing it still in orbit, but with a rather low perigee of 89 km.

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: AEHF 2 communications satellite keeps on climbing

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: AEHF-2 handed over to the USAF after completing on-orbit testing