Scope Diagram Astrocamera.Net - Astrophotography by Dave Kodama  

Vandenberg Atlas V Launch - 12 Dec. 2014


Atlas V Launch

This is a photo composite of several shots of an Atlas V launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in southern California. The 7:19pm launch was too late in the evening to be illuminated by sunlight, but was still bright enough to be visible from within the city of Orange, CA. The rocket was reported to be the most powerful booster launched from California thus far. The classified payload was for the National Reconnaissance Office, designated NROL-35.

Note: These shots were not taken at uniform intervals as may be implied by the spacing shown in the composite image.