An Atlas V rocket blasted off from the Space Coast early Friday morning on a mission that launched a satellite into orbit for the Mexican government.

Friday's launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station marked the 100th mission for the United Launch Alliance since the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin formed in 2006. The company is now 100-for-100 on its launch attempts.

The rocket was set to blast off, but a hold was called with 51 seconds remaining on the countdown clock after a boat strayed into the "falling debris zone," which created a range violation.

The countdown clock resumed at 6:24 a.m., and the rocket successfully lifted off at 6:28 a.m., which was the close of the 20-minute launch window.

The pre-dawn launch also created a cloud plume shortly after liftoff similar to what happened Sept. 3 during another Atlas V launch.


A beautiful sky over Satellite Beach for the rocket launch. (Jayce Amneus, Viewer)


A view of the rocket launch in Merritt Island. (Wayne Eleazer, Viewer)

Just like last month's launch, the smoke trail from liftoff caught the sunlight as just the right angle to create the plume.

Nothing was reported to be wrong with the launch.

The Morelos-3 satellite will be part of the Mexsat constellation of satellites, which provide secure communications and voice, data, video and Internet services in Mexico.

ULA's first launch was Dec. 14, 2006, when a Delta II rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The alliance's first Florida launch happened in February 2007.


(United Launch Alliance)

Launch Chat Replay

More Info: Morelos-3 Mission Booklet