Here is a short video about the launch of a military communications satellite aboard an Atlas-4 rocket. Having been delayed several times, it launched at 8:47pm on Decmber 5, 2009.

A souped up version of United Launch Alliances Atlas IV medium rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Saturday night after three days of delays, carrying with it a next generation military communications satellite to help battlefield troops.

The Atlas IV 5-4 medium rocket, enhanced with four solid-fueled boosters, lifted off riding a column of fire that lit up the chilly but finally clear central Florida sky. Previous attempts were scrubbed by windy, wet weather and technical troubles with some ground equipment.

The rocket flew for 40 minutes before it successfully deployed the Air Force's third Wideband Global SATCOM communications spacecraft, known as WGS-3, into geosynchronous obit.

Once again, I grabbed my Canon G9 still camera and set it to the Video Mode to record the event from my front yard. I also took a few still photos which appear at the end.

Recorded: December 5, 2009 (less info)