MUOS-5 The five meter payload fairing encapsulating the 5th MUOS satellite.
Atlas V 551 The biggest, most powerful variant of the Atlas V, the 551 uses a five meter fairing and five solid rocket boosters.
Atlas V Ground Support Equipment
Looking down the flame duct
2.75 Million Pounds of Thrust The five AJ-60A solid rocket boosters add their extreme kick to the RD-180 main engine to deliver the heaviest payloads to orbit.
A Column of Smoke and Flame MUOS-5 rides to orbit atop Atlas V's column of fire and smoke, thundering off the launchpad and breaking the still Florida morning.
Atlas V Ignition A plume of dirty water and smoke is ejected from the flame duct at ignition.
Atlas V Launch of MUOS-5
Ice and Fire Ice crystals stream off the side of the Atlas V's first stage booster as the rocket lifts from its launchpad.
Atlas V Launch Tanks containing liquid nitrogen stand in the foreground of this photo showing the Atlas V launch.
Heading to Orbit
Up in the Air The Atlas V rocket is backlit by the rising sun as it streaks to space.
