In photos: Atlas V launches AEHF-6 military satellite for US Space Force
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Rolling on out
At 4:18pm EDT (2018 GMT) on March 26, 2020, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasted off, carrying a satellite for the United States Space Force.
The rocket launched the sixth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-6 ) mission, a communications satellite for the U.S. Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center. The mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
See the amazing AEHF-6 mission in photos here. This view shows the Atlas V rocket making its way to the launch pad from the Vertical Integration Facility at SLC-41.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Mission in tow
The Atlas V rocket rolls toward the launch pad at Complex-41. The rocket stands tall as it carries with it the AEHF-6 communication satellite for the U.S. Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
New logo
On the side of the ULA's Atlas V rocket, you can spot the blue, "Star Trek'-esque logo for the United States Space Force. In this photo, the rocket is making the trek to the Complex-41 launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Quite a view
As the sun sets at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, ULA's Atlas V rocket sits on the launchpad, ready to go with the AEHF-6 satellite aboard.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Blast off!
Flames roar from the Atlas V's engines as it carries the AEHF-6 mission into space for the U.S. Space Force.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Up and Away
On March 26, 2020, ULA's V rocket blasted off from Space Launch Complex 41's launchpad carrying a U.S. Space Force payload.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
To orbit
The U.S. Space Force's AEHF-5 mission lifted off aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket on the afternoon of March 26, 2020.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Fire and smoke
Flames roar and smoke spreads as ULA's Atlas V rocket carries the AEHF-6 communication satellite into orbit.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Rising from Earth
At 4:18pm EDT on March 26, 2020, the Space Force's AEHF-6 mission rose from Earth aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Sunny afternoon, successful launch
Another successful launch rose from Space Launch Complex -41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. In this photo you can see smoke billowing out from the Atlas V rocket.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Power revealed
As the Atlas V rocket blasts off from the Space Launch Complex-41 launch pad, the power of the rocket is evident with the fire and smoke left in its wake.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Sleek and cool
As the Atlas V rocket powers into orbit with the AEHF-6 mission inside. The rocket's sleek design is magnificent to witness — rising powerfully and beautifully into the afternoon sky.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
From a distance
Even from a far-off vantage point, the beauty and power of the launch is clear. The ULA Atlas V rocket releases a fiery blast that shoots smoke across the Space Launch Complex-41 to the Vertical Integration Facility.
(Image credit: United Launch Alliance)
Something to see
Early in the afternoon on March 26, 2020, ULA's Atlas V rocket took off, leaving this trailing tail of smoke behind it.
Christine Lunsford joined the Space.com team in 2010 as a freelance producer and later became a contributing writer, covering astrophotography images, astronomy photos and amazing space galleries and more. During her more than 10 years with Space.com, oversaw the site's monthly skywatching updates and produced overnight features and stories on the latest space discoveries. She enjoys learning about subjects of all kinds.
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