A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket roared to life at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking a significant milestone for the U.

S.

Space Force.

The powerful rocket, a 551 configuration boasting a 5-meter diameter payload fairing and a single solid rocket booster, ascended into the clear Florida sky, carrying the highly anticipated Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO) satellite.

This launch, designated USSF-67, represents a crucial step in bolstering the nation's space-based surveillance capabilities.

The SBIRS GEO satellite is a critical component of the nation's early missile warning system.

Its advanced infrared sensors provide real-time detection of missile launches and other potential threats worldwide, providing invaluable data to national security decision-makers.

The successful deployment of this satellite further enhances the resilience and sophistication of the existing SBIRS constellation, ensuring continuous monitoring of the globe.

The launch itself was a picture of precision, with the Atlas V performing flawlessly throughout its ascent.

Spectators watched in awe as the rocket streaked skyward, leaving a fiery trail in its wake.

The successful separation of the payload fairing and subsequent deployment of the satellite were confirmed by ULA and Space Force officials, signifying a major victory for the program.

This mission builds on years of collaboration between ULA, the Space Force, and Lockheed Martin, the primary contractor for the SBIRS program.

The successful launch of USSF-67 is not just a technological achievement; it's a testament to the dedication and expertise of the engineers, technicians, and support personnel who worked tirelessly to make this mission a reality.

It underscores the continuing importance of robust space-based assets for national security in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

The successful deployment of the SBIRS GEO satellite strengthens the U.

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’s ability to monitor and respond to global threats, ensuring its continued dominance in space-based surveillance for years to come.

A United Launch Alliance carrying a classified U.S. Space Force satellite — the booster's final national security payload — blasted off from Cape Canaveral two minutes after sunrise Tuesday and streaked into space to kick off a secrecy-shrouded mission.

Powered by a Russian-built RD-180 first stage engine and five Northrop Grumman strap-on solid-fuel boosters, the Atlas 5 roared to life at 6:45 a.m. EDT and majestically climbed away from pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop 2.7 million pounds of thrust.

Putting on a spectacular early morning show, the five strap-ons boosted the rocket and its payload out of the lower atmosphere and then fell away one minute and 45 seconds after liftoff.

The ascent continued on the power of its first stage RD-180 engine but as usual with classified launches, ULA ended its live webcast before the Atlas 5's second stage took over the ascent.

The rest of the flight was carried out in secrecy with no details provided about the duration of the first stage "burn" or subsequent firings of the upper stage Aerojet Rocketdyne Centaur engine. But the Space Force released a statement later in the day saying the payload was released in the proper orbit about seven hours after liftoff.  

"This is a bittersweet moment for us," Col. James Horne, a senior launch manager with Space Systems Command, told reporters before the flight. "I have had the privilege of sitting (on) console for the very first national security Atlas Launch in 2007 ... and here we are with our last national security Atlas."

United Launch Alliance, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, has a long history launching military and National Reconnaissance Office spy satellites and now-retired Delta 2 and more powerful Delta 4 rockets. Tuesday's launch was the company's 100th national security flight.

"This is an extremely important mission for us, for the U.S. Space Force, particularly in this time of great power competition," Horne said.

But no details about the payload were provided. Gary Wentz, ULA manager of government and commercial programs, said only that "it's one of the most critical payloads that we've put up to date. We can't talk a lot about that, but it's definitely critical to the defense of our nation as well as our allies."

ULA is in the process of transitioning to new, lower-cost Vulcan rockets while it flies out its remaining inventory of Atlas 5s. Unlike the Atlas 5 with its Russian-built RD-180 engine, the Vulcan is an all-American rocket with methane-burning first stage engines provided by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

Fifteen Atlas 5s remain in ULA's inventory. Six are earmarked for International Space Station crew rotation missions using Boeing's Starliner capsule with the rest booked to carry Amazon's Kuiper internet satellites and a commercial communications relay station.

ULA's new Vulcan rocket in January with a second flight on tap later this year. Assuming that mission goes well, the Vulcan will be certified for use carrying national security payloads.