APOD 4.1: Atlas V Launches MMS

Pictured above, an Atlas V rocket lifts off carrying NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission into Earth orbit 10 days ago to study the magnetosphere that surrounds and protects the Earth. The 300,000 kilogram rockeship went to circle the Earth where the outside air is too thin to breathe. Rockets bound for space are now are launched somewhere on Earth about once a week.