Mother Nature Gives Atlantis a Break!

After four previous attempts to launch, Atlantis and it's crew are on their way to the International Space Station! In contrast to the previous launch attempts, Mother Nature was very kind to Atlantis this morning. The risk of a weather related delay was 0%! The only thing that could stop the launch now was a technical delay - that would not be the case.

At 6:12 A.M. Eastern Standard time Atlantis lit up the early morning sky as it departed launch pad 39A and sent a wake-up call to all of the wildlife on Kennedy Space Center. As Atlantis rose above the horizon the early morning light brought the flight path to life with a display of its own! If you follow the exhaust trail in the photograph at right and look to the left center you can still see Atlantis as it continues it's journey to the ISS.

The primary mission for the crew of Atlantis is to deliver supplies to the International Space Station, perform a spacewalk and then reboost the station from 230 statute miles to 250 statute miles above the earth's surface. The crew will take air samples, monitor carbon dioxide, measure air flow, replace air filters, replace Zarya fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Repairs will also be done to replace four batteries on Zarya, replace failed or suspect electronics for Zarya's batteries, replace a Radio Telemetry System and a communications antenna. The station will also be resupplied with water, a docking mechanism accessory kit, film and video tape for documentation, office supplies and personal items. Crew health maintenance items will also be transferred including exercise equipment, medical support supplies. If enough fuel remains at the time Atlantis undocks from the ISS, a flyaround inspection will be performed.

Atlantis is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center on May 29th at 2:19 A.M.