Atlas V launches from Cape Canaveral on fifth try

Update: Liftoff! Atlas V launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 3:28 a.m. Sunday after four previous attempts were scrubbed due to weather violations and technical issues.

An Atlas V rocket is set to pierce Sunday's early morning sky after it launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a secret communications satellite.

The 196-foot-tall United Launch Alliance rocket with two side-strapped solid rocket boosters is expected to launch from Launch Complex 41 at 3:28 a.m. On board will be the National Reconnaissance Office’s secret NROL-52 spacecraft.

Four previous attempts on last week were scrubbed due to weather violations and technical issues. Saturday's attempt is 60 percent "go," according to Air Force weather forecasters.

[Weather OK for SpaceX launch from KSC as system brews in Caribbean]

[Atlas V set to launch secret U.S. spy satellite early Thursday]

There are two parts to our coverage:

• Live video of the rocket launch, available here or at our Facebook page;
• A live chat with space reporters James Dean and Emre Kelly.

Coverage kicks off at 2:30 a.m. Thursday on our homepage and will feature in-depth coverage, photos, charts and more. You can ask the team questions and strike up a conversation. We'll host ULA's live video.

In Central Florida?

If you're under clear skies, you can look to the state's east coast to spot Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

If you do step outside for the launch, bring your smartphone and stay tuned to live updates. The coverage is available at FloridaToday.com/Space in your mobile browser and on our mobile (iOS and Android) and tablet (iOS) apps.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook at @EmreKelly.