Atlas V Launch

Time for another Atlas V launch. This morning was a bit too bright for my liking but all I have to do is step outside and wait for a couple of minutes before...liftoff!



The rocket rose into the bright sky. Not another cloud in the area.



One of the fun things I like about launches is seeing what the contrail is going to do based on light, wind, ect. Got a little contrast in there but it was nothing too spectacular.



Back to work!

Atlas V from Work

Time for another launch of the Atlas V. This time while I was at work. It was a perfectly clear Winter morning and a couple of us ran out to each the show. Just after it cleared our horizon it was burning bright.



One of my favorite parts of launches is when the contrail kicks in and gives you a scale of how far the rocket is at any moment.



Looks like there will be a lot of launches of many types this year. Hoping to get some darker sky lift offs. I enjoy them all but sunset and night launches are even more dynamic.

The Latest Atlas V Launch

The latest Atlas V launch was delayed a couple of time due to high winds in the area but today it got off the ground around 4:30 PM. I had stopped at a good viewing spot at the first launch window but nothing happened so I moved on toward the store. As I approached the parking lot I saw it begin to rise between the clouds. I had to quickly park and yank the camera out to get a couple of quick shots.



Funniest part was that a woman was walking out of the store and paused thinking was trying to take her photograph. I had to point to the sky and say I had other intensions.

Glad to see a successful launch after the failure in October. More launches planned soon up and down the coast including the next Space X relanding attempt in a couple of weeks.

Another Atlas V

For most nighttime rocket launches I typically use my zoom to get as close as possible and shoot in shorter time to make sure I am in focus as the vehicle rises. Tonight, I pushed aside my fear of messing up and just tried one long time exposure of the latest Atlas V liftoff. One camera means I only get one chance to do it correctly.

It was a completely clear night and I headed over to Lake Weldon, hopped out, set-up and waited a few minutes. I timed my arrival to as close to the launch window start and it went off right on time. Only one photo to check and, overall, I am pretty pleased with the result.



Next time I might change the ISO a bit but I was glad I got the arc completely in frame. More launches to come this year!

Atlas V

This work thing is really cramping my birding! However, there have been some interesting flying things to see at night. It is set to be a busy year for launches but my problem is the cloud cover between here and the coast. As launch time approached I was watching a low bank of clouds that were not building too much. But I could also tell that fog was beginning to form around the city.

Just after 8 PM I could see the glow of the initial firing of the engines. The Atlas V is not as big as the shuttles were but this is a huge rocket. I began shooting photos throughout the launch until I couldn't see it anymore but I like the first frame the best. You can see the shadow of the rocket again the fog as it gets higher in the sky.



First launch of the year with many more to come. I'm ready.

Atlas V Launch

It has been a while since I could see a rocket launch from OTown but today an Atlas V was scheduled to lift off at midday. Had to figure out which way to look since it would be from the old Air Force base instead of the shuttle pads but the launch went up as planned and I had some clear air to watch from. Well, after it cleared the inland low clouds.



Atlas V rockets are huge so you can't miss them once you figure out the starting point. I watched it rise and then decided to get a shot with an airplane in the field of view. Orlando International Airport in just down the road a bit so it makes for a nice comparison. That rocket is 50 miles away at launch and even father this high as it heads into space.



I took these at my new workplace in Winter Park, FL so now I know which direction to watch for that flame. There will be some exciting new launches in the next few months and I can't wait to try and photograph them all!

Flying Things

Time for another launch from the Cape. First, I had to take a few minutes to search for the baby Barred Owls. I almost didn't see the second owl peeking out from behind the branches.



The morning was clear enough, but by launch time the clouds were beginning to form over Orlando. I was about to give up when the Atlas V raced up in the one clear patch of sky.



The Red-shouldered Hawk behind me seemed unimpressed.



Though the Shuttle program is over, we still get to see some amazing launches from time to time.