News From Space!

Atlantis is on orbit, and the seven-member crew is chasing the International Space Station for a Sunday rendezvous. NASA reports:

Atlantis Launches!

After a virtually flawless countdown, Space Shuttle Atlantis thundered into the early evening sky over Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The on-time launch headed the STS-117 crew toward the International Space Station where they will deliver a new crew member, truss segment and solar arrays.

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Post-Launch Press Conference - 9:30 p.m. EDT

NASA senior managers expressed their pride in Space Shuttle Atlantis’ successful liftoff. The launch was flawless and Atlantis is safely in orbit.

“The team really performed well,” said Rex Geveden, NASA associate administrator. “And it’s a really good day for NASA and for this nation’s Space Program.”

Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations stated that the launch of STS-117 is the first step of a challenging mission and although there are many challenges ahead, this was a great start to the launch year.

After the culmination of many months of hard work from the damaging hail storm that struck Kennedy Space Center late in February, “The external tank has performed in a magnificent manner,” said Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale.

The preliminary reports from the cameras that took images of the external tank during liftoff showed no foam loss prior to solid rocket booster separation.

“This bodes well for the future as we look forward to the completion of the space station,” Hale said.

Mission Management Team chairman Leroy Cain and NASA launch director Mike Leinbach expressed their gratitude to the entire NASA and contractor team that prepared the space shuttle for launch.

“It was a beautiful night for a launch,” said Leinbach. “I’m just very proud to be part of this team.”

Launch pics here. Videos here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

Atlantis is on its way to the ISS, on the first Shuttle launch of the year! NASA reports:

Atlantis Space Station Bound!

Cheers and shouts can be heard throughout the Kennedy Space Center as Atlantis roars off the launch pad into a clear blue Florida sky!

Image above: Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off on mission STS-117. Image credit: NASA
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Within 10 minutes, the shuttle will be in orbit around the Earth. Within 24 hours Atlantis will undergo the rendezvous pitch maneuver and thermal protection system tile inspection. By flight day 3, Atlantis will be ready to dock with the International Space Station.

Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

“To assemble the framework for the science laboratories of tomorrow!”

The hatch is closed, and we are looking good for the 7:38PM liftoff. NASA reports:

Preparing for Launch

06.08.07 - 7:10 p.m. EDT
The closeout crew has left the lauch pad and the astronauts continue final checks inside the orbiter during the built-in hold in the countdown.

When the hold ends at the nine-minute mark in the countdown, a computer on the ground at the Kennedy Space Center — known as the Ground Launch Sequencer — takes over management of the countdown and will monitor the space shuttle’s systems until the final moments before launch.

At the 31-second mark, Atlantis’ onboard computers take control and ignite the solid rocket boosters and orbiter main engines.

When Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39A, it will be the first launch from that launch pad in over 4 years.

Rick Mastracchio, who will fly on STS-118, is giving commentary on Fox News, along with Shuttle vet Thomas Jones. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

The Atlantis astronauts are boarding the orbiter. NASA reports:

Astronauts at the Pad

06.08.07 - 4:45 p.m. EDT
The STS-117 crew is at Launch Pad 39A. A short elevator ride to the 195-foot level takes the astronauts to the White Room where one by one each crewmember is assisted by NASA’s closeout crew as they prepare to board the shuttle. Their flight suits are checked and an orange glow stick is tucked into the pocket of each suit for safety.

Commander Sturckow was first to be secured in his seat, followed by pilot Lee Archambault on the flight deck. As rest of the crew members are seated and strapped in, Sturckow began powering up the orbiter’s general purpose computer for flight.

Follow the live countdown coverage in progress:
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Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

The seven astronauts of STS-117 are heading for the launchpad. NASA reports:

Mission Crew Leaves for Pad

06.08.07 - 3:55 p.m. EDT
After suiting up, the astronauts made their way out of their quarters of the Operations and Checkout Building to the cheers and applause from the crowd wishing them a successful mission. Returning the waves, the Atlantis crew boarded NASA’s silver Astrovan that takes them on the 20-minute trip to Launch Pad 39A.

Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.