By Marisa Laudadio
7:00pm PST, Jan 11, 2024
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Join us as we take a look at the best photos from an historic new rocket launch…
A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon.
The project generated headlines as it's meant to be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. According to The New York Times, the United States Space Force is counting on Vulcan — which was designed to replace two older rockets — to eventually launch spy satellites and other spacecraft important for national security.
Keep reading for more incredible photos from before, during and after liftoff…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
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United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41d at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 8, 2024, for its maiden voyage, carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander.
The mission, called Cert-1, also carried the cremated remains of several people associated with the original "Star Trek" series including creator Gene Roddenberry and cast member Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed the character Uhura. Roddenberry's ashes have been launched into orbit before.
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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This photo shows a timed exposure of the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket that launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket launched at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, on its maiden flight from Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary payload on board the new rocket is the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander that's carrying multiple instruments for NASA to the moon. This would be the first U.S. soft lunar landing in more than 50 years.
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The United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket sits on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 7, 2024. The new ULA blasted off on its maiden flight on Jan. 8, 2024, with a payload that included a private lunar lander. The mission, called Cert-1, also carried the cremated remains of several people associated with the original "Star Trek" series, including creator Gene Roddenberry and cast member Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed the character Uhura.
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The Vulcan rocket is seen on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Dec. 6, 2023, ahead of its January 2023 space launch.
