Atlas 5 launches MUOS-2

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On July 19, 2013, a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launches in its most powerful configuration, the 551 with five solid rocket boosters and a large five-meter extended-length payload fairing, to put the second Mobile User Objective System satellite into space for the US Navy. A (no doubt very surprised) turkey vulture was caught in mid-flight in front of the American flag on the launch tower.

Ben Cooper / launchphotography.com

Visit launchphotography.com for more photos from this and other launches.

Copyright holder: Ben Cooper

This image is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Do not reuse in any way without permission.
Contact us to request publication permission from the copyright holder. Original image data dated on or about July 19, 2013