Air Force launches rocket carrying a Navy satellite aloft

The Air Force launches an unmanned Atlas V (five) rocket Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The rocket hoisted the third in a series of Mobile and User Objective System satellites. (AP Photo/Florida Today, Craig Rubadoux) NO SALES

A Navy communications satellite is bound for orbit.

The Air Force launched an unmanned Atlas V (five) rocket Tuesday night from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket hoisted the third in a series of Mobile and User Objective System satellites.

The first satellite in the MUOS (MEW-ows) network was launched in 2012 and the second in 2013. A fourth is set to fly this summer. The satellite system is intended to improve ground communications for U.S. military forces. It's expected to achieve full operational capability in two more years.

United Launch Alliance provided the rocket.

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