Amazing Night Launch Photos: Delta 4 Rocket Launches Military Satellite

Rocket Ride: WGS-5 Satellite Meets Delta 4

Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket 5-meter diameter payload fairing, with the Air Force's WGS-5 satellite encapsulated inside, is mated to its Delta 4 booster in preparation for a May 2013 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.

WGS-5 Satellite Meets Delta 4 Rocket

Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket 5-meter diameter payload fairing, with the Air Force's WGS-5 satellite encapsulated inside, is mated to its Delta 4 booster in preparation for a May 2013 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.

WGS-5 Satellite Mated to Delta 4 Rocket

Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket 5-meter diameter payload fairing, with the Air Force's WGS-5 satellite encapsulated inside, is mated to its Delta 4 booster in preparation for a May 2013 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.

Packing for Flight: WGS-5 Satellite

Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

The Air Force's fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite is encapsulated inside a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 5-meter diameter payload fairing for a May 2013 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida.

All Aboard: WGS-5 Satellite Meets Rocket

Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket 5-meter diameter payload fairing, with the Air Force's WGS-5 satellite encapsulated inside, is mated to its Delta 4 booster in preparation for a May 2013 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.

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Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.