spacetoday.net: Atlantis lifts off

Posted: Mon, Apr 8, 2002, 8:33 PM ET (0033 GMT)
STS-110 launch (NASA/KSC)

The space shuttle Atlantis lifted off Monday afternoon on a mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis launched at 4:44:19 pm EDT (2044:19 GMT), at the end of its five-minute launch window. The countdown was stopped briefly at the T-5 minute mark to correct a synchronization glitch between systems on the orbiter and ground control. There were no other technical problems reported during the countdown and weather conditions, which had threatened to delay the launch, cooperated. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station around 12:00 pm EDT (1600 GMT) Wednesday. The seven-person crew of STS-110 will install the first segment of the station's truss during the 11-day mission.