MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — United Launch Alliance successfully launched its Atlas V rocket Friday afternoon during its first mission of the year.
The launch is part of a national security mission for the U.S. Space Force.
WATCH: SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center
It was also the second launch from Florida’s Space Coast this week.
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/01-21-2022/t_c18f4b8654734249ad2d5e3a8bdca8ce_name_file_960x540_1200_v3_1_.jpg)
ULA launched a pair of satellites that will provide more accurate tracking of human-made objects in space.
“I thought it was really cool seeing,” said launch spectator Valentina Perdomo. “We could see it go up for a long time. I didn’t think we’d be able to hear it, but it was cool being able to hear it. I liked it.”
WATCH: NASA chief scientist wants new, additional mission for agency -- climate
The USSF-8 mission launch will support national security by enhancing space flight safety, including satellite collision avoidance.
The next Space Coast launch is already on the calendar. SpaceX plans a launch for the Italian Space Agency next Thursday.
READ: International Space Station funding extended until 2030
See more in the video above.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
©2022 Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XDQLXNTUXRDH5A24LTZEACF2L4.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/32JQ2SKWNFHLFB3HRNHF33UDMQ.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/BGQFTM2RRBEGNBQ5CZP3Y3QVTE.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YGVFETCKVVFJXMYLVIKJPOVUYQ.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/V2FJ42SKPFEGTBIRCMVKTVZMGQ.jpg)