Atlas 5 launches NRO L-30 This personal video was recorded (by myself) from the press site, 3.9 miles away from Pad 41 and the closest one can view an Atlas 5 launch. Turn your volume up to experience a launch as it looks and sounds in person! This launch used the 401 version of the Atlas 5 rocket, meaning it had no solid rocket boosters and thus no smoke trail. The camera was on a slightly wide-angle setting, and thus the launch and smoke trail appear a bit smaller and further away than it really was. 4.51 Mb file size. Requires Quicktime player to view. Back to Atlas 5 NRO L-30 launch photos