The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands atop Space Launch Complex 3-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on the eve of Wednesday’s NROL-79 satellite-deployment mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Rocky, the ULA mascot, even paid a visit to the pad Tuesday morning while photographers were setting up sound-activated cameras to capture the launch.

Photo credit: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

See earlier NROL-79 coverage.

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