15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Reaching for the stars (Delta IV WGS-9)

2.5min, Long exposure of the launch of Delta IV rocket carrying WGS-9 on march 18, 2017. Launch was delayed about an hour allowing for the ambient light to fall away. This created a great opportunity to only use the brightens of the rocket to light the surrounding area. You can see just how bright the launch is by noticing the sand under the water which is illuminated. As well as the grass and a loan rock sticking up just about the surface. The side of the Vehicle assembly building is also illuminated by the rock (large building image left)

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2017
Date Uploaded: 05.2017
Photo Location: Titusville , Florida, United States of America
Copyright: © Ryan Perchalski