Orbiter: Atlantis
Shuttle Mission: STS-110
Date:April 8, 2002

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -– Minutes before liftoff, Shuttle Atlantis' main engines are rotated, or gimbaled, to verify that they are ready for launch. The Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm, or "beanie cap," is lifted from the top of the external tank and retracted, making way for launch. Finally, as its contrail casts a shadow across the afternoon sky, Space Shuttle Atlantis rockets toward a rendezvous with the International Space Station. STS-110 is the 13th assembly flight to the International Space Station, carrying the S0 Integrated Truss Structure and Mobile Transporter (MT). On the 11-day mission, the mission features four spacewalks to attach the S0 truss, which will become the backbone of the Space Station, to the U.S. Lab, "Destiny." The MT, a space "railcar," is attached to the truss segment and will make its debut run during the flight.

STS-110 photos are online. (Note: This is a graphic-intensive site and may be difficult to view with low speed modems or when this web site receives heavy traffic loads).

Live Countdown Coverage
Pre-Launch Video Table of Contents