U.S. Air Force Puts Six Military Research Satellites into Orbit (Tariq Malik)

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An Atlas 5 rocket launched spaceward late Thursday, hauling a clutch of six military research satellites into orbit for the U.S. Air Force.

By Tariq Malik -- Space.com

March 8, 2007 -- An Atlas 5 rocket launched spaceward late Thursday, hauling a clutch of six military research satellites into orbit for the U.S. Air Force.

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) booster shot into the night sky above Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:10 p.m. EST (0310 March 9 GMT) carrying two Orbital Express spacecraft refueling demonstrators and four experimental microsatellites under the Air Force’s Space Test Program-1 (STP-1) mission [image].

VIDEO: Riding Along with Orbital Express

"This is a proud moment in our company's history and a significant step forward in providing our nation assured access to space using the most cost-effective means possible,” Michael Gass, ULA president and CEO, said in a post-launch statement, adding that the space shot marked the first launch of an expendable Atlas booster for the U.S. Air Force.

Thursday’s space shot occurred about a half hour later than planned due to launch range radio interference and booster vent valve issues, though both proved only short delays.