The first US Space Force national security mission will launch today. Here's how to watch live

Update for 4:53 pm ET: The United Launch Alliance successfully launched an Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF-6 military communications satellite for the U.S. Space Force at 4:18 p.m. EDT (2018 GMT). Read our full story here.

A next-generation military communications satellite will launch today (March 26) on the first national security mission for the United States Space Force, and you can watch the liftoff live.

The sixth and final Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite, or AEHF-6, is scheduled to lift off atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Thursday during a two-hour window that opens at 2:57 p.m. EDT (1857 GMT). You can watch the action live here at Space.com courtesy of ULA, or directly via the company.

AEHF satellites circle Earth in geostationary orbit, about 22,200 miles (37,730 kilometers) above the planet. 

Related: Military space — the latest launches, tech and videos

The six-satellite system "provides vastly improved global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms," representatives of aerospace company Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for AEHF, wrote in a mission description. "The jam-resistant system also serves international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom."

The first five AEHF craft are already up, having launched in August 2010, May 2012, September 2013, October 2018 and August 2019, all atop Atlas V rockets. The system has been operational since 2015, and the satellites have a 14-year design lifetime.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket topped with the AEHF-6 military communications satellite stands at the launch pad ahead of a planned March 26, 2020 liftoff. (Image credit: United Launch Alliance)

AEHF-6 will be the first National Security Space mission for the U.S. Space Force, which was officially established in December 2019.

"In the current dynamic environment, national security is of utmost importance," Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of government and commercial programs, said in a statement. "We are proud to launch the first National Security Space mission for the U.S. Space Force and look forward to delivering the final AEHF asset to support our nation’s national defense and the warfighter community."

Mike Wall is the author of "Out There" (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook

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Mike Wall
Senior Space Writer

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.

  • Khaotician
    It is amazing to see the orwellian word smithing of the use of national security when talking of such missions and equipment. It is obvious the primary purpose of this communication sat. is to provide support for US foreign activities mostly drone strikes which while now considered valid "defense" activity is actually blatant terror tactics on territories far, far from US soil. It is interesting to see St, Ronny's immortal words now apply globally: The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the (USA)_ government and I'm here to help.
    Reply