Amazing Atlas 5 Rocket Launch: US Military's GPS Satellite Soars (Photos)

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Atlas V 4-meter Diameter Payload Fairing

United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 4-meter diameter payload fairing, with the Air Force's GPS IIF-4 satellite encapsulated inside, is transported and mate to the Atlas V rocket in the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
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Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor. 

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