Historic Launch Proceeds On Time

Space shuttle Atlantis lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, rising on twin columns of fire to embark on ST-125, the final shuttle mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

After a smooth countdown and picture-perfect liftoff, space shuttle Atlantis and a crew of seven astronauts are in space, ready to begin their 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis lifted off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:01 p.m. EDT.

From the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the booster officer confirmed Atlantis' trio of main engines cut off on time at 2:10 p.m. With Atlantis safely in orbit, its giant external fuel tank was jettisoned. Onboard cameras will record the tank's condition as it falls away from Atlantis and descends toward Earth.

Late in the countdown, launch managers had to evaluate an unexpected ice formation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical, and a buildup of cumulus clouds threatened the favorable weather forecast. But those issues were quickly resolved, and in a post-launch press conference, NASA managers praised the launch team for its expertise and efficiency.

Veteran astronaut Scott Altman is serving as commander, and retired Navy Capt. Gregory C. Johnson will serve as pilot. Mission specialists rounding out the crew are: veteran spacewalkers John Grunsfeld and Mike Massimino, and first-time space fliers Andrew Feustel, Michael Good and Megan McArthur.

During the 11-day mission's five spacewalks, astronauts will install two new instruments, repair two inactive ones and perform the component replacements that will keep the telescope functioning into at least 2014.

In addition to the originally scheduled work, Atlantis also will carry a replacement Science Instrument Command and Data Handling Unit for Hubble. Astronauts will install the unit on the telescope, removing the one that stopped working on Sept. 27, 2008, delaying the servicing mission until the replacement was ready.

FMI: www.nasa.gov