ULA launches first Space Force mission

Cape Canveral, Fla. — On a picture perfect afternoon along Florida's space coast, United Launch Alliance launched a communications satellite for the newly created U.S. Space Force.

Engineers worked to fix a hydraulics issue that caused an approximate 90 minute delay, then at 4:18 p.m. an Atlas V rocket launched with the sixth Advanced Extremely High Frequency, or AEHF, satellite from Launch Complex-41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The AEHF satellite system was developed by Lockheed Martin and provides communications for strategic command to all U.S. military soldiers around the world. This is the final satellite in the constellation.

Popular launch viewing sites, including Space View Park in Titusville and Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral are closed, due to the C-D-C's coronavirus prevention and social distancing guidelines.