The Air Force's second X-37B spacecraft blasted off at 5:46 p.m. atop a powerful Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, sending a loud rumble across the Space Coast.
Air Force officials said the 196-foot United Launch Alliance rocket performed normally during the early stages of flight. But then, as expected, a news blackout was imposed.
Richard McKinney, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs, was a bit cagey in a post-launch statement.
"Launch is a very demanding business, and having what appears to be a successful launch is always good news," he said.
McKinney said he was pleased with initial status reports but he also downplayed expectations.
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ABOUT THE IMAGE: Click to enlarge the FLORIDA TODAY image of an Atlas V rocket launching the second U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceship from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The photograph was captured by award-winning Florida Today photographer Craig Bailey at the Launch Complex 39 Press Site at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY.
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