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.