A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., carrying the second Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. This was the 3rd ULA launch of the year, the 37th Atlas V mission, and the 69th ULA launch since the company was formed in December 2006. SBIRS is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs for decades to come. The SBIRS program addresses critical warfighter needs in the areas of missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.

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