U.S. Air Force launches GPS satellite from Cape Canaveral

  • 10 years ago
Atop a bed of fire and smoke, United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket blasted off on its fiftieth flight on Wednesday, carrying a GPS satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

Liftoff took place on schedule at 1321edt (1721gmt).

Wednesday's launch takes place a day after an unmanned supply rocket, headed toward the International Space Station, exploded shortly after liftoff from a launch pad in Virginia, destroying supplies and equipment bound for the orbiting outpost.

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