Launch Photos: NASA's TDRS-L Satellite Streaks Into Space

TDRS-L Prelaunch Image

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been mated atop a United Launh Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.

NASA's TDRS Communications Satellites Explained (Infographic)

See how NASA's TDRS-L and K satellites work with the agency's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites constellation to provide continuous contact with spacecraft orbiting Earth in this SPACE.com Infographic. See the full TDRS satellite infographic here.

TDRS-L Prelaunch Image

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been mated atop a United Launh Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.

TDRS-L Lifted

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, engineers and technicians begin lifting NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft for mounting atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

TDRS-L Payload Fairing Unmarked Side

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft is moved into position for mating atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan 13, 2014.

TDRS-L High Angle

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, engineers and technicians move NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft into position for mating atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.

TDRS-L Prelaunch Image

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been mated atop a United Launh Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.

TDRS-L Prelaunch Image

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been mated atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.

TDRS-L Prelaunch Image

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been mated atop a United Launh Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.

TDRS-L Prelaunch Image

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been mated atop a United Launh Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 13, 2014.