Kennedy Space Center guests were “awed and amazed” by the thunderous roar of an Atlas V rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral yesterday.
Image courtesy of Kennedy Space Center, Florida
The United Launch Alliance launched from Cape’s Air Force Station at 11.05am carrying the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on a national defence mission.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offered the closest public viewing of the launch, with guests at the LC-39 Observation Gantry enjoying an up-close, front row seat view.
Speaking after the launch visitor Norman Trover said, “Watching the rocket lift off was a really memorable experience and something all the family enjoyed. The view was great and we were awed and amazed seeing it in action. It was a really close view so we didn’t miss a thing. The roar that thing made was incredible.”
The X-37B space plane carried by the Atlas V rocket is designed to launch like a satellite and land like an airplane. In 2012, it broke the record for the longest mission of a reusable space vehicle after a 469-day mission. Air Force Space Command-5 marks the 54th launch of an Atlas V rocket since its first mission in 2002.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit the website.
