While the Space Shuttle Program may have ended, rocket launches from the nation’s space coast continue. On Monday of this week, June 18th, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will blast-off from a launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station near the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast.
The launch of the Atlas V rocket is currently scheduled for a window beginning at 8:26am Eastern and running until 9:25am. The payload for this particular launch has not been made public. The classified payload is being delivered into space on Monday for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office according to NASA.
What could be an even more spectacular rocket launch is currently scheduled for later in the month on June 28. On that day, another classified payload (a satellite) will be carried aloft by a Delta 4-Heavy Rocket. The launch window opens before dawn at 5:30am Eastern lasting for 5 hours. A much larger rocket launch vehicle, the Delta 4-heavy launch in the pre-dawn darkness could rival launches of the Apollo era.
For those interested in watching the launch live in person, the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) visitor complex will open at 7am local time and is open to the public. Those wishing to watch either launch live online can do so via the NASA TV feed provided below.
Watch live streaming video of rocket launches from NASA TV here
Live video from your Android device on Ustream