KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – The fiery launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis makes a perfect picture against the blue Florida sky as Atlantis heads for a rendezvous with the International Space Station on mission STS-115. After launch attempts were scrubbed Aug. 27 and 29 and Sept. 3 and 8 due to weather and technical concerns, this launch was executed perfectly. During the STS-115 mission, Atlantis’ astronauts will deliver and install the 17.5-ton, bus-sized P3/P4 integrated truss segment on the station. The girder-like truss includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries and associated electronics and will provide one-fourth of the total power-generation capability for the completed station. This mission is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the ISS. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA / Dennis Sabo

At the post-launch news conference from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA officials and mission managers expressed excitement at the successful launch of Atlantis and looked forward to the mission ahead.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said, “Once again, it’s an honor to be associated with this program and with this team and to watch them work. What you saw today was a flawless count and a majestic launch.”

Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space operations added, “The team did an awesome job. It wasn’t easy getting here. They hung together through a lot of adverse circumstances.”

Looking ahead to the work slated for the astronauts, Gerstenmaier said, “They’ve got a very busy mission ahead of them.” He added, “they’re ready to go.”

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center and charged into the midday Florida sky on a mission to boost power on the International Space Station. The launch was on time, with liftoff at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Over the 11-day mission, the six-member crew will perform three spacewalks to install the P3/P4 integrated truss and solar arrays on the station, doubling the current power generating capability of the orbiting outpost.

Source: NASA

Further reading:

• Space Shuttle Atlantis Begins Return to ISS Assembly