Watch again: ULA's Atlas V rocket carrying communications satellites launches from Florida

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 531 rocket carried communications satellites into orbit on Tuesday.  

The SES-20 and SES-21 satellites were delivered into near-geosynchronous orbit to provide television broadcasting services across the United States. The commercial dual-payload launch is in service to satellite operator SES of Luxembourg. 

"SES-20 and SES-21 are all-electric 702SP (small platform) satellites equipped with C-band payloads that will operate over the continental United States," ULA said in describing the launch. "The satellites will usher in the Federal Communications Commission’s 5G Fast initiative, requiring satellite operators such as SES to clear from the lower 300 MHz to the upper 200 MHz of C-band spectrum to make way for 5G mobile services. With SES-20 and -21, SES will continue to deliver C-band broadcast and radio services as well as critical data network services in the coming months."

Liftoff occurred from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.