BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket with the Inmarsat 4-F1 mobile broadband communications satellite. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

1756 GMT (12:56 p.m. EST)

The launch weather officer just gave a briefing the mission managers. There are no weather rules being violated at this time and the outlook for launch time remains generally favorable with just a 30 percent chance of strong winds being a problem.

1747 GMT (12:47 p.m. EST)

Range Safety is performing the hold-fire checks to ensure the countdown can be halted if a problem arises.

1715 GMT (12:15 p.m. EST)

Testing of the Atlas 5 rocket's guidance system has been finished. Also, the flight control system operational test is reported complete.

1712 GMT (12:12 p.m. EST)

First stage hydraulic and propulsion countdown preps are now complete.

1709 GMT (12:09 p.m. EST)

Road blocks are being established for the blast danger area surrounding Complex 41.

1702 GMT (12:02 p.m. EST)

With less than five hours left in the countdown, the pace of pre-flight activities is picking up. The chilldown thermal conditioning of the first stage liquid oxygen storage area has been accomplished. This is the early precursor to pumping the super-cold oxidizer into the vehicle a couple of hours from now. Also just completed were checks of the vehicle's internal batteries and preps for the first stage pneumatics and the Centaur liquid oxygen systems.

1650 GMT (11:50 a.m. EST)

We've posted a gallery of photographs taken during yesterday's rollout of the Atlas 5 rocket as the vehicle was moved from its assembly building to the launch pad. See the pictures here.

1600 GMT (11:00 a.m. EST)

It is take No. 2 for Atlas 5 and the Inmarsat 4-F1 spacecraft. Lockheed Martin says it is not carrying any technical issues into today's launch countdown. The problems experienced during the first launch attempt yesterday have been resolved.

So activities have resumed at Complex 41 to prepare the vehicle for flight. The cryogenic propellants were drained from the rocket immediately following the scrub. As a result, much of the next few hours will be spent preparing to re-fuel the vehicle according to the normal countdown timeline.

Launch remains on target for 4:42 p.m. EST.

1400 GMT (9:00 a.m. EST)

A fresh countdown is underway at Cape Canaveral this morning for launch of the Inmarsat 4-F1 communications satellite aboard Lockheed Martin's fifth Atlas 5 rocket. Liftoff was scrubbed yesterday after a pair of technical glitches consumed the day's tight 15-minute launch opportunity. The launch team hopes for better luck today.

The latest weather forecast predicts a 70 percent chance of favorable conditions during the 4:42 to 4:57 p.m. EST launch window. Strong winds are the chief concern, but are expected to remain below the 33-knot limit, officials said.

The outlook calls for clouds scattered at 2,500 feet and broken at 24,000 feet, isolated showers to the north, visibility of 7 miles, southwesterly winds from 240 degrees at 18 gusting to 28 knots and a temperature of 72 degrees F.

Our live play-by-play reports from the spaceport will begin around 11 a.m. EST and continue through the rocket's ascent.

0212 GMT (9:12 p.m. EST Thurs.)

Launch has been formally rescheduled for Friday at 4:42 p.m. EST, officials confirm. Watch this page for live reports throughout the day.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005

Today's launch attempt of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket was halted less than three minutes before blastoff after engineers in the control center received an alarm. Although no information has been released about the problem, it appeared to involve the "pogo" suppression system that serves as the energy absorption device aboard the rocket to damp out oscillations.

A short time earlier, concerns with the Range Safety system that would destroy the vehicle if it veered off course forced the launch team to forego an on-time liftoff. While the Range issue was debated, the day's short 15-minute launch window was used up. As a result, there was no time remaining to deal with the red alarm, giving managers no choice but scrub the liftoff.

It is presumed that another launch attempt will be made on Friday. The launch time would be 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT).

2215 GMT (5:15 p.m. EST)

If the launch is reset for tomorrow, the weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions. The outlook predicts scattered low level clouds, broken high level clouds, 7 miles of visibility, southwesterly winds at 20 gusting to 30 knots, isolated showers in the area and a temperature of 68 degrees F.

2204 GMT (5:04 p.m. EST)

Further testing of the flight termination system will be performed as engineers assess the intermittent tones emitted from one of the command receiver decoders as part of the rocket's flight termination system.

2203 GMT (5:03 p.m. EST)

Crews are beginning to drain the cryogenic fuels from the launch vehicle following today's postponement. We're still awaiting further information from Lockheed Martin to explain what caused the second countdown hold, ultimately scrubbing the launch.

2156 GMT (4:56 p.m. EST)

Today's launch opportunity lasted just 15 minutes to 4:57 p.m. EST. So there is no time to deal with the problem. Liftoff could be rescheduled for Friday at the earliest, pending resolution of the technical problem that forced the hold. Tomorrow's window extends from 4:42 to 4:57 p.m. EST.

2155 GMT (4:55 p.m. EST)

The hold was called by the flight control system due to a red alarm.

2154 GMT (4:54 p.m. EST)

The countdown clock has stopped at T-minus 2 minutes, 52 seconds. This will be a scrub for today as the launch window is closing.

2154 GMT (4:54 p.m. EST)

NO GO! A hold has been called.

2154 GMT (4:54 p.m. EST)

T-minus 3 minutes. The Atlas first stage liquid oxygen replenishment is being secured so the tank can be pressurized for flight. Also, the RP-1 tank is being pressurized to flight level.

2153 GMT (4:53 p.m. EST)

T-minus 3 minutes, 30 seconds.

2153 GMT (4:53 p.m. EST)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting. The countdown is running again for launch of Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 and the Inmarsat 4-F1 communications satellite! The automatic computer sequencer is in control of all the critical events through liftoff.

2152 GMT (4:52 p.m. EST)

A final self-test of the flight termination system is being performed to verify everything is in good shape.

2151 GMT (4:51 p.m. EST)

Standing by to resume the countdown in two minutes.

2150 GMT (4:50 p.m. EST)

Officials are coordinating the new launch time of 4:57 p.m. EST.

2147 GMT (4:47 p.m. EST)

The launch team is ready to proceed with the countdown for liftoff at 4:57 p.m. EST if the flight termination system issue can be fixed.

2145 GMT (4:45 p.m. EST)

The launch conductor says liftoff is tentatively reset for the last minute of today's window at 4:57 p.m. EST, if the problem can be resolved.

2144 GMT (4:44 p.m. EST)

The countdown must resume by 4:53 p.m. EST in order to launch by the end of today's window.

2143 GMT (4:43 p.m. EST)

The cryogenic fuel tanks aboard the vehicle are being topped off to keep the rocket's supplies ready for a possible launch today.

2142 GMT (4:42 p.m. EST)

The countdown has been reset to T-minus 4 minutes and holding.

2141 GMT (4:41 p.m. EST)

The launch team is recycling the countdown to the T-minus 4 minute mark while further discussion occurs on this flight termination system problem. It was understood that the tone from one of the command receiver decoders, which was dropping out, was not a requirement for launch. However, safety officials called a hold shortly after the countdown clock resumed. Today's launch opportunity extends to 4:57 p.m. EST.

2138 GMT (4:38 p.m. EST)

The countdown has been stopped at T-minus 3 minutes, 27 seconds after the launch conductor hit the "not ready" button on his console. More time is needed to review the flight termination safety system problem.

2138 GMT (4:38 p.m. EST)

HOLD! The countdown has been stopped.

2138 GMT (4:38 p.m. EST)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting. The final countdown is now underway for the launch of Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 and the Inmarsat 4-F1 communications satellite! The automatic computer sequencer is in control of all the critical events through liftoff.

2137 GMT (4:37 p.m. EST)

The flight termination system tone is not a required element for launch.

2136 GMT (4:36 p.m. EST)

Launch director Adrian Laffitte has also given his "go" to continue the countdown, pending resolution of the flight termination safety system problem.

2136 GMT (4:36 p.m. EST)

The readiness poll is complete. However, this flight termination system issue caused a "no go" report.

2135 GMT (4:35 p.m. EST)

The launch team is being polled by the launch conductor in the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center.

2135 GMT (4:35 p.m. EST)

A problem is being reported with the flight termination safety system. The tone from one of the command receiver decoders is dropping out. Engineers are assessing the situation.

2132 GMT (4:32 p.m. EST)

Inmarsat 4-F1 is running on internal power.

2127 GMT (4:27 p.m. EST)

The Inmarsat 4-F1 spacecraft payload sitting atop the Atlas 5 rocket is switching from ground-fed power to internal batteries for flight.

2125 GMT (4:25 p.m. EST)

The entire launch team will be polled in 10 minutes to verify readiness to resume the countdown for liftoff at 4:42 p.m. EST.

2124 GMT (4:24 p.m. EST)

Lockheed Martin is not reporting any technical issues standing in the way of today's launch.

2114 GMT (4:14 p.m. EST)

All three cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks aboard the rocket have reached flight level.

2113 GMT (4:13 p.m. EST)

T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered this final planned hold. The pause is scheduled to last 25 minutes, giving the launch team a chance to catch up on work and deal with any technical issues. Launch remains slated for 4:42 p.m. EST.

2112 GMT (4:12 p.m. EST)

The solid rocket booster ignition safe and arm switch is being put in the "enable" position.

2108 GMT (4:08 p.m. EST)

The launch weather officer says all conditions remain acceptable for liftoff today.

2107 GMT (4:07 p.m. EST)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting. Coming up on the built-in hold at T-minus 4 minutes.

2101 GMT (4:01 p.m. EST)

The fuel-fill sequence for the first stage main engine is beginning.

2057 GMT (3:57 p.m. EST)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown clocks are heading to the T-minus 4 minute mark where a planned 25-minute hold will begin at 4:13 p.m. EST. Liftoff is still set for 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT).

2053 GMT (3:53 p.m. EST)

The Centaur liquid hydrogen tank has achieved flight level.

2042 GMT (3:42 p.m. EST)

Now one hour from launch.

2040 GMT (3:40 p.m. EST)

Topping of the first stage liquid oxygen tank is underway.

The rocket is nearly fully fueled for launch. However, the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen cryogenics being pumped into the rocket this afternoon are chilled to several hundred degrees below zero and naturally boil away. So the supplies must be replenished through the countdown.

2034 GMT (3:34 p.m. EST)

The liquid hydrogen tank in the Centaur upper stage has just reached 97 percent full. Topping is now beginning.

2030 GMT (3:30 p.m. EST)

Centaur liquid hydrogen tank is now at 80 percent.

2028 GMT (3:28 p.m. EST)

The launch weather officer says there is a 0 percent chance of conditions violating the rules today. Conditions are ideal for liftoff of the Atlas 5 rocket. Skies are clear, visibility is unrestricted, winds are from the east at 10 gusting to 15 knots.

2026 GMT (3:26 p.m. EST)

Atlas first stage liquid oxygen has hit the 80 percent mark. The Centaur hydrogen tank is 50 percent full. Everything continues to proceed for liftoff at 4:42 p.m. EST today.

2022 GMT (3:22 p.m. EST)

The flight control final preparations are starting. Also, the Centaur liquid hydrogen tank has reached the 20 percent level.

2021 GMT (3:21 p.m. EST)

The 70 percent point has been reached on the first stage liquid oxygen tank.

2017 GMT (3:17 p.m. EST)

The Centaur engine chilldown has been initiated.

2015 GMT (3:15 p.m. EST)

The liquid hydrogen chilldown is now complete and the super-cold fuel is flowing to fill the Centaur upper stage. The cryogenic propellant will be consumed with liquid oxygen by the stage's Pratt & Whitney-made RL10 engine to propel the Inmarsat 4-F1 spacecraft into the targeted super-synchronous transfer orbit this afternoon.

2012 GMT (3:12 p.m. EST)

Time to launch is 90 minutes.

2011 GMT (3:11 p.m. EST)

First stage liquid oxygen tank is now half full.

Chilled to Minus-298 degrees F, the liquid oxygen will be used with RP-1 kerosene by the RD-180 main engine on the first stage during the initial four-and-a-half minutes of flight today.

2002 GMT (3:02 p.m. EST)

The Centaur liquid oyxgen tank has reached flight level.

2000 GMT (3:00 p.m. EST)

The first stage liquid oxygen tank is 20 percent full. The trademark layer of ice and frost is forming on the stage's bronze skin as the super-cold liquid oxygen continues to flow into the vehicle.

1956 GMT (2:56 p.m. EST)

The Centaur liquid oxygen tank has now reached the 95 percent level. Topping is starting.

1952 GMT (2:52 p.m. EST)

The chilldown conditioning of liquid hydrogen propellant lines at Complex 41 is now starting to prepare the plumbing for transferring the Minus-423 degree F fuel into the rocket.

1951 GMT (2:51 p.m. EST)

Centaur's liquid oxygen tank is about three-quarters full.

1946 GMT (2:46 p.m. EST)

The chilldown conditioning of the systems for the first stage liquid oxygen tank have been completed. And a "go" has been given to begin pumping super-cold liquid oxygen into the Atlas 5's first stage. The Atlas liquid oxygen tank is the largest tank to be filled today.

The propellant for the first stage -- the RP-1 kerosene -- was loaded aboard the rocket a couple of hours ago.

1945 GMT (2:45 p.m. EST)

The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is now half full.

1942 GMT (2:42 p.m. EST)

Just two hours remain until the targeted liftoff time of the most powerful Atlas rocket to ever fly and the heaviest commercial communications satellite, the Inmarsat 4-F1 spacecraft. The satellite's official launch weight is calculated at 13,138 pounds.

1939 GMT (2:39 p.m. EST)

Twenty percent of the upper stage liquid oxygen tank has been filled in this early phase of cryogenic fueling operations.

1931 GMT (2:31 p.m. EST)

Following the thermal conditioning of the transfer pipes, Centaur liquid oxygen tanking operations have begun at Cape Canaveral's Complex 41.

The liquid oxygen -- chilled to Minus-298 degrees F -- will be consumed during the launch by the Centaur's single RL10 engine along with liquid hydrogen to be pumped into the stage a little later in the countdown. The high-energy Centaur will perform two firings today to deliver the Inmarsat spacecraft into a super-synchronous transfer orbit.

1924 GMT (2:24 p.m. EST)

The Centaur liquid oxygen transfer line chilldown is starting in advance of loading the upper stage. This thermal conditioning prepares the plumbing for flowing the cryogenic oxidizer.

1917 GMT (2:17 p.m. EST)

T-minus 120 minutes and counting! The countdown has resumed following a planned 75-minute hold. Complex 41 has been primed and readied for today's launch of the Atlas 5 rocket. Liftoff is scheduled to occur at 4:42 p.m. EST, the opening of a 15-minute launch opportunity. One more planned hold is slated for T-minus 4 minutes and will last 25 minutes in duration.

Activities upcoming include pressurizing the first stage kerosene fuel tank and liquid oxygen chilldown procedures.

1914 GMT (2:14 p.m. EST)

The countdown will be coming out of this hold point in three minutes as Lockheed Martin marches forward to today's Atlas 5 rocket flight.

1912 GMT (2:12 p.m. EST)

A "ready report" poll of the launch team to ensure everyone is "go" to start cryogenic tanking was just conducted. No concerns were voiced.

1910 GMT (2:10 p.m. EST)

The pre-launch briefing for engineers in the control center is underway. Shortly, the launch team will be polled for a readiness to press ahead with cryogenic fueling operations this afternoon.

1856 GMT (1:56 p.m. EST)

Safety officials have made the confirmation that the blast danger area around the launch pad has been cleared of all personnel. This is required before the hazardous operations of fueling the rocket with cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen begin.

1849 GMT (1:49 p.m. EST)

The launch pad area is now clear of workers, completing the hands-on activities to ready the Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket for the remainder of today's countdown to liftoff.

Coming up in about 20 minutes, the launch team will receive a briefing on procedures from the launch conductor before the count resumes from this hold at the T-minus 120 minute mark.

1832 GMT (1:32 p.m. EST)

Now 30 minutes into this planned 75-minute hold. The final chores are being completed at the pad. Just a handful of workers remain at Complex 41. It is a quiet countdown today at Cape Canaveral with clocks continuing to target liftoff at 4:42 p.m. EST.

1802 GMT (1:02 p.m. EST)

T-minus 120 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the scheduled one-hour, 15-minute paused. Holds like this one are built into the count to provide margin to recover from work running behind schedule and address technical issues. Clocks are slated to resume at 2:17 p.m. EST.

The launch pad crews are wrapping up their work at Complex 41. Once all personnel is clear of the hazard area, fueling operations can begin this afternoon.

1755 GMT (12:55 p.m. EST)

All launch weather rules are "go" right now and meteorologists say there is a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions at liftoff time this afternoon. Everything is looking very favorable right now.

1750 GMT (12:50 p.m. EST)

Range Safety is performing the hold-fire checks to ensure the countdown can be halted if a problem arises.

1747 GMT (12:47 p.m. EST)

First stage hydraulic and propulsion preps are complete.

1742 GMT (12:42 p.m. EST)

Launch of the Atlas rocket carrying the Inmarsat 4-F1 spacecraft is four hours away. Countdown clocks are nearing a planned 75-minute built-in hold coming up at 1:02 p.m. EST.

1730 GMT (12:30 p.m. EST)

The flight control system operational test is reported finished.

1711 GMT (12:11 p.m. EST)

Testing of the Atlas 5 rocket's guidance system has been completed.

1708 GMT (12:08 p.m. EST)

The water deluge system at the Complex 41 launch pad is being configured. Immense amounts of water will be dumped on the pad deck and inside the flame trench to suppress the sound and acoustics generated by the rocket at liftoff.

1642 GMT (11:42 a.m. EST)

The Centaur liquid hydrogen system preps were just reported complete. Also underway in the count are checks of the vehicle's internal batteries.

1634 GMT (11:34 a.m. EST)

Chilldown thermal conditioning of the first stage liquid oxygen storage area is beginning. This is the early precursor to pumping the super-cold oxidizer into the vehicle a couple of hours from now.

1619 GMT (11:19 a.m. EST)

The Atlas 5 rocket's first stage fuel tank has been fully loaded with its supply of RP-1 kerosene, the launch team just announced. The stage's liquid oxygen tank will be filled later this afternoon.

Routine countdown activities with the launch vehicle, cryogenic propellant systems and ground support equipment are progressing at the Cape for today's launch at 4:42 p.m. EST.

1542 GMT (10:42 a.m. EST)

With launch time now six hours away, one third of the first stage RP-1 propellant tank has been filled as fueling operations continue at the pad.

1510 GMT (10:10 a.m. EST)

Good day and welcome to our live coverage of the fifth Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket launch. Liftoff from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station remains on schedule for 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT) today.

After its arrival at the pad this morning, the Atlas first stage and Centaur upper stage were powered up. Now, the launch team has been given a "go" to begin pumping RP-1, a highly refined kerosene propellant, into the Atlas 5 rocket's first stage. The fuel will be consumed by the RD-180 main engine during the initial four-and-a-half minutes of flight.

The weather appears perfect for a space shot today. Skies were nearly overcast this morning, but the clouds have completely cleared and this has developed into a beautifully clear day.

1306 GMT (8:06 a.m. EST)

ON THE PAD! The Atlas 5 rocket has arrived at the Complex 41 launch pad for today's liftoff carrying the Inmarsat 4-F1 communications satellite. The launch is valued at $250 million.

The two mobile trailers connected to the launching platform, which were part of the convoy during this morning's rollout, soon will be hooked up to power and communications systems at the pad. These trailers provide conditioned air to the payload and communications with the rocket during the roll and throughout the countdown. They are protected from the blast of launch by a concrete structure on the north-side of the platform.

Within the next hour, the auto couplers between the pad and platform will be engaged to route umbilical connections from the ground to the rocket for upcoming fueling of the booster.

Later this morning, the Atlas first stage and Centaur upper stage are scheduled to be powered up and testing of the rocket's guidance system will start along with flight control system preps.

A variety of other standard countdown operations will continue into the mid-day hours, including loading fueling into the vehicle.

Although the rocket's rollout was almost an hour late, liftoff remains scheduled for 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT).

1229 GMT (7:29 a.m. EST)

ROLLOUT BEGINS! With a pair of specially-made "trackmobiles" pushing the way, the 1.4-million pound mobile launching platform with the Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket is slowly departing the 30-story Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral's Complex 41. The rollout was delayed nearly an hour by a technical problem.

Over the next half-hour or so, the 194-foot tall rocket will travel 1,800 feet along rail tracks from its assembly building to the launch pad in preparation for liftoff later today.

To learn more about the "clean pad" concept used by Lockheed Martin for the Atlas 5 program, see our complete story.

1212 GMT (7:12 a.m. EST)

A technical glitch has delayed this morning's rollout of the Atlas 5 rocket but liftoff remains on schedule for 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT). Managers expect the rollout from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad to begin shortly. It is a cold morning in Florida but weather conditions are expected to be favorable for the flight.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2005
1900 GMT (2:00 p.m. EST)

ALL SYSTEMS GO. The Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket and its Inmarsat 4-F1 communications satellite payload have been cleared for liftoff Thursday.

"This morning we held our final Launch Readiness Review. I am very pleased to inform you we are working no issues. We are ready to proceed with the count as planned," said Atlas launch director Adrian Laffitte.

Despite the gloomy weather impacting Cape Canaveral today, bringing gray skies and rain, meteorologists predict improving conditions before Thursday's 4:42 p.m. EST launch time.

"Don't worry about the weather. It is going to get better," Laffitte said.

1500 GMT (10:00 a.m. EST)

The weather forecast has improved to a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions tomorrow. See the full forecast here.

The Launch Readiness Review is underway this morning to give the final "go" to proceed with liftoff tomorrow afternoon. We'll post a full update following today's pre-launch news conference.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2005

Air Force meteorologists have released their latest forecast for Thursday. The outlook still predicts a 60 percent chance of violating the rule governing thickness of clouds in which the rocket can safely fly through. See the full forecast here.

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2005

The weather forecast for Thursday's launch opportunity calls for a 60 percent chance that thick cloud cover will prevent liftoff. The outlook for Friday predicts a 30 percent chance of gusty winds breaking the launch weather rules. See the full forecast here.

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2005

Topped with the heftiest commercial communications satellite to ever fly from Cape Canaveral, a tailor-made Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket like none before it launches Thursday, bound for an exceptionally high orbit around Earth.

The first-of-its-kind rocket will be the most powerful Atlas in history, generating 38 million horsepower when it blasts off from Complex 41 at 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT). The day's window in which the launch can occur extends 15 minutes to 4:57 p.m. EST (2157 GMT).

Read our launch preview story.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005

While its liftoff was hidden by a dense blanket of fog draped over Cape Canaveral's Complex 36 Thursday morning, the last Lockheed Martin Atlas 3 rocket flew into the history books in fine style as it successfully launched two formation-flying spy satellites probably meant to track enemy ships at sea. Read our full story.

After heart-felt speeches and toasts to say goodbye to the launch site that Atlas-Centaur rockets have called their Cape Canaveral home since the 1960s, the spotlights shining on Complex 36 were turned off in a ceremony following's Thursday's liftoff. Read our full story.

Video coverage for subscribers only:
VIDEO: FINAL ATLAS 3 ROCKET BLASTS OFF QT
VIDEO: DRAMATIC ONBOARD CAMERA VIEW OF STAGING QT
VIDEO: FAREWELL CEREMONY TO COMPLEX 36 DIAL-UP | BROADBAND
AUDIO: FAREWELL CEREMONY TO COMPLEX 36 FOR IPOD
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2004

Call it the ultimate whirlwind experience in the rocket business. In the span of 12 hours, Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rocket went to the launch pad, took on its fuel, persevered through a couple of technical bugs, roared off the planet on 31 million horsepower and was rewarded with another success as it deployed a commercial satellite cargo into orbit. Read our full story.

Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: 6-MINUTE CLIP OF THE ATLAS 5 LAUNCH WITH AMC 16 QT
VIDEO: LAUNCH AS SEEN FROM THE COMPLEX 39 PRESS SITE QT
VIDEO: AMC 16 SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOYED FROM THE ROCKET QT
VIDEO: ATLAS 5 ROCKET IS ROLLED TO THE LAUNCH PAD QT
VIDEO: THURSDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT
VIDEO: NARRATED ANIMATION PREVIEW OF THIS LAUNCH QT
VIDEO: OVERVIEW OF THE AMERICOM 16 SPACECRAFT QT
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