By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/following-minor-delays-atlas-v-lifts-night-sky Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Following minor delays, Atlas V lifts off into night sky Science Jan 20, 2015 9:00 PM EDT Video by SpaceVids.tv The same night President Barack Obama emphasized a “re-energized space program,” an unmanned Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida with a Navy communications satellite on board. Despite some minor delays, the United Launch Alliance launched the rocket at 8:04 p.m. EST, more than 20 minutes past its scheduled launch. It is the third, and most powerful, Mobile and User Objective System, MUOS, satellite meant to improve communications for U.S. military ground forces. According to the ULA’s website, the MUOS system “will provide military users 10 times more communications capability over existing systems, including simultaneous voice, video and data, leveraging 3G communications technology.” The 7.45-ton, 206-ft. satellite will join its two predecessors, MUOS-1 and MUOS-2, in orbit. A fourth rocket is intended to lift off later this summer. The network will become fully operational with a final rocket launch in 2016. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Video by SpaceVids.tv The same night President Barack Obama emphasized a “re-energized space program,” an unmanned Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida with a Navy communications satellite on board. Despite some minor delays, the United Launch Alliance launched the rocket at 8:04 p.m. EST, more than 20 minutes past its scheduled launch. It is the third, and most powerful, Mobile and User Objective System, MUOS, satellite meant to improve communications for U.S. military ground forces. According to the ULA’s website, the MUOS system “will provide military users 10 times more communications capability over existing systems, including simultaneous voice, video and data, leveraging 3G communications technology.” The 7.45-ton, 206-ft. satellite will join its two predecessors, MUOS-1 and MUOS-2, in orbit. A fourth rocket is intended to lift off later this summer. The network will become fully operational with a final rocket launch in 2016. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now