WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The rocket was launched at 14:30 GMT. Three minutes after the launch, the United Launch Alliance commentator said that all systems are functioning well.
2 September 2015, 13:12 GMT
The satellite will complete the MUOS system and provide the US Navy with improved communications, its capacity 10 times above the previous-generation system.
The Atlas V rocket's first stage is fitted with a Russian-built RD-180 engine that runs on kerosene and liquid oxygen, while its upper stage is fitted with an American-built RL10 engine that runs on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
Friday's successful launch followed the incident on March 22, when the Atlas V launcher’s first stage RD-180 engine cut off 6 seconds earlier than planned, triggering a longer burn by the upper stage engine to compensate for the loss of thrust and velocity.
