40th Atlas 5 rocket on the launch pad

United Launch Alliance's 40th Atlas 5 rocket arrived at its oceanfront launch pad Monday after a 1,800-foot trek on trails from its Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The 196-foot-tall rocket, fitted with three solid rocket boosters and a five-meter fairing, is topped with the U.S. Air Force's third Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellite.

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

Credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

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