Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Atlas 5 launches MUOS-2

Atlas 5 launches MUOS-2
Atlas 5 launches MUOS-2 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.