A United Launch Alliance #Atlas V #rocket sits on #pad LC-41, waiting to launch a communications #satellite for #NASA. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System allows NASA to maintain near-constant contact with its Earth-orbiting #spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, and Antarctica, as well as #LaunchVehicles during ascent.
The Mobile Launch Platform’s umbilical towers obscure the brightly-lit rocket.
The satellited being launched is #TDRS-K, renamed TDRS-11 once operational.
#TDRSS, #UnitedLaunchAlliance, #ULA, #AtlasV, #AtlasV, #AtlasRocket, #Photography, #Photograph, #Photo,
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