Watch: Atlas V Rocket Lights Up Florida's Sky

Tampa Bay area residents who woke up bright and early Wednesday were treated to quite a light show courtesy of an Atlas V rocket launch at Cape Canaveral.

The 6:18 a.m. liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station created a trail that was visible in the morning sky throughout much of the state, including Tampa Bay. The rocket was deployed to carry a Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite into orbit to better help the U.S. Navy with its ground communications.

The MUOS-4 is described by the Navy as a “next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system,” according to a press release from the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing. That wing provided support for the Wednesday morning launch. MUOS is designed to work like “a smartphone network in space,” providing improved security for satellite communications for mobile U.S. forces. The satellite delivered into space Wednesday is the fourth in a series meant to enhance communications on the ground.

The satellite was designed by Lockheed Martin. It is expected to undergo testing and evaluation this December and is planned to reach full operational capability in 2017.

“Delivery of this fourth satellite for the U.S. Navy completes the initial MUOS constellation and provides near-global coverage for the network,” Iris Bombelyn, vice president of Narrowband Communications at Lockheed Martin, was quoted as saying. “For our mobile forces, that means for the first time they will be able to have secure, high-fidelity voice conversations, networked team calls and data exchange, including video, with anyone around the world connected with a MUOS terminal.”

Did you see this morning’s launch? Tell us about it by commenting below or by sharing your photos!

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force/Michael Deep, Spaceflight Insider