A Florida Man Captured Some Dreamy Video of the Rocket Launch This Morning

Just before dawn today, the US Navy launched a new communications satellite from Cape Canaveral, carried into orbit by an Atlas V rocket—and an onlooker caught it all in this stunning video.

According to United Launch Alliance, the company that makes the Atlas V, the optimal viewing conditions were caused by sunlight hitting the rocket's trail at just the right angle to highlight the plume and create this amazing display. (Skip to about 2:20 if you're short on time.) Those who witnessed the event could follow the rocket's path for so long that it eventually appeared to be falling, instead of rising, causing the videographer and his wife some alarm. Despite their conviction that something was wrong, however, the launch was a success.

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a five-satellite constellation designed to increase the coverage of the military's "narrowband" communications network. This satellite was the fourth, with the fifth expected to be launched next July. Once all five are launched, the satellites will provide worldwide coverage.

Ironically, the orbital component of the system will be ready to go before the military's earthbound technology is quite prepared for it, and the system won't be ready to go until 2017. Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?