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Atlantis orbiter set for launch Shuttle heads for space station
(about 6 hours later)
Space shuttle Atlantis is poised to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US, at 1938 (2338 GMT). Space shuttle Atlantis has launched from the US Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the first mission of 2007.
It will fly to the International Space Station to continue construction work. The shuttle took off in clear weather. It reached orbit less than nine minutes after lift-off, Nasa said.
The mission will lay the groundwork - and the power lines - for Europe's Columbus module to join the orbiting platform later this year. The seven astronauts aboard Atlantis will fly to the International Space Station to continue installation work, including a new pair of solar panels.
The major elements for installation include a new pair of giant solar wing panels and a rotary joint so they can track the Sun for power. In February, hail damage cancelled a planned March launch. Nasa's last space shuttle mission was in December.
"It's the foundation for the power supply that will now allow us to truly become an integrated International Space Station with the European and the Japanese labs," said Nasa astronaut James Reilly, the lead spacewalker for Atlantis' seven-man crew. Foam debris
European interest Shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said some foam fell off the fuel tank as Atlantis headed for orbit, but added that it should not pose a risk and preliminary analysis showed it did not strike the shuttle.
The US space agency (Nasa) had hoped to be launching its second flight of the year by now, not its first; but an unusual storm passed over the Central Florida launch site in late February and dropped large hailstones on the shuttle. "The tank performed magnificently, despite having several thousand repairs to it," Mr Hale said. "[The debris] should not be a hazard that late in the flight."
Atlantis was at the launch pad being prepared for a mid-March flight. Crew will check for damage to the shuttle's heat panels later on Saturday.
Europe's ATV will take supplies to the space stationTechnicians found more than 4,200 dings and gouges from hail strikes in the external fuel tank's foam insulation. The insulation is needed to prevent ice from forming when cryogenic propellants are pumped into the inner tanks for launch. Ice, like the foam itself, can pose a debris hazard during launch. In 2003, the shuttle Columbia was hit by a piece of foam during launch. Wing damage from the foam caused the shuttle to disintegrate as it returned to earth, killing all seven crew.
Atlantis' tank was repaired, but Nasa had to give up three months' time in a tight and inflexible schedule to finish space station construction before the shuttle fleet is retired in three years. The Atlantis mission will lay the groundwork - and the power lines - for Europe's Columbus module to join the International Space Station later this year.
The agency has some major milestones coming up, including the launch of the European Space Agency's Columbus module in December and three flights to attach Japan's Kibo laboratory complex to the station. "Everything continuing to go very smoothly," a Nasa commentator said three minutes into the flight.
"They need electricity for those new modules and that's part of our job," said Atlantis' flight engineer Steven Swanson, one of the crew's four rookie fliers. Tight deadlines
Swap around Nasa had hoped to be launching its second flight of the year by now, but an unusual storm passed over the Florida launch site in late February and dropped large hailstones on the shuttle, delaying the mid-March flight.
It took us a while to get to this point, but the ship is in great shape Mike LeinbachNasa launch director
Atlantis was at the launch pad when technicians found more than 4,200 gouges from hail strikes in the external fuel tank's foam insulation.
The tank was repaired, but Nasa had to give up three months in a tight schedule to finish space station construction before the shuttle fleet is retired in three years.
"It took us a while to get to this point, but the ship is in great shape," Nasa launch director Mike Leinbach said.
Despite the delays, managers are confident they will be able to complete the station before the shuttles' 2010 retirement date.Despite the delays, managers are confident they will be able to complete the station before the shuttles' 2010 retirement date.
In graphics: Space station
Nasa plans to fly 15 more missions to the station to deliver large components, spare parts and other supplies. In addition, one final servicing call to the Hubble Space Telescope is planned for September 2008.Nasa plans to fly 15 more missions to the station to deliver large components, spare parts and other supplies. In addition, one final servicing call to the Hubble Space Telescope is planned for September 2008.
Before completion, the station is expected to be able to support six resident crewmembers - twice as many as what is possible now. Before completion, the station is expected to be able to support six resident crewmembers - twice as many as now.
class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/6313161.stm">In graphics: Space station Nasa also is preparing for the debut flight of a European cargo ship that is scheduled to begin flying to the station later this year. Atlantis' crew includes commander Frederick Sturckow, pilot Lee Archambault, lead spacewalker James Reilly, Pat Forrester, John "Danny" Olivas, Steven Swanson and Clayton Anderson.
The Automated Transfer Vehicle launches on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. The first flight is expected later this year. Cdr Sturckow has two previous spaceflights and Col Forrester has one.
In addition to Reilly and Swanson, Atlantis' crew includes commander Frederick Sturckow, pilot Lee Archambault, Pat Forrester, John "Danny" Olivas and Clayton Anderson. Sturckow has two previous spaceflights and Forrester has one. Mr Anderson will not be coming home with the Atlantis astronauts.
Clayton will not be coming home with the Atlantis astronauts. His job is to replace Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the space station since December. She will return with the Atlantis astronauts.
His job is to replace Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams who has been aboard the space station since December. She will return with the Atlantis astronauts. Anderson's ride home is with the crew that delivers Columbus.