During remote camera setup static pad photos on SLC-41 of ULA Atlas V USSF-51 100th dedicated national security payload mission. Liftoff planned for Tuesday July 30th 2024 at 6:45 AM EDT Cape Canaveral Florida.
CEO of ULA Tory Bruno has named the mighty Atlas V in a 551 configuration "The Bruiser" the most powerful rocket in the Atlas family with five strap on solid rocket boosters and a twin bell Russian RD-180 center core engine. In 2014 Congress passed legislation that prevented the award of military launch contracts to vehicles using Russian made engines. However ULA is able to use the remaining RD-180 engines it still has in stock but will be phased out with the new Vulcan rocket using American built Blue Origin BE-4 engines.
Photos by Scott Schilke for sipausa.com & spacenewsfl.com