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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket was used to launch the Air Force Space Command 11 (AFSPC-11) payload to orbit. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 on Saturday, April 14, 2018. The mission began with the launch vehicle lifting off from the pad at 7:13 p.m. ET. This version of the reliable Atlas V rocket utilizes a five meter payload fairing (nosecone) as well as five Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ-60A solid rocket boosters. The first stage is powered by a lone RD-180 rocket engine with the Centaur upper stage using an RL-10C engine. This configuration of the Atlas V is capable of delivering 19,621 lbs (8,900 kilograms) of payload to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Photos courtesy: Mike Howard, Scott Schilke, Mike Deep
