Atlas 5 rocket rolled out for SBIRS GEO 2 launch

Riding the rails at Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 on Monday morning, United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket was transported from its assembly building to the pad. Liftoff carrying the second Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite, or SBIRS GEO 2, for the U.S. military's network of missile early-warning detection spacecraft is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:21 p.m. EDT.

Also on hand for the event were participants of the social media Tweetup enjoying special access to watch rollout, get behind-the-scenes tour and the launch.

ULA is sharing the message of what the company does to support security from space for the U.S. and its allies, boosting critical communications, navigation, reconnaissance and weather spacecraft into orbit for the Department of Defense and intelligence community.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the launch.

Photo Credit: Walter Scriptunas II / Spaceflight Now