After Long Delays, Atlantis Shuttle Launches

At long last, almost two months after initially scheduled, the Atlantis space shuttle lifted off today, as part of an 11-day mission that will bring the European Columbus science lab to the International Space Station.

NASA officials had feared that the same storms that sent tornadoes twisting through the southern United States would stall over Florida today, delaying the launch further. But in fact, conditions proved to be acceptable for launch.

The shuttle will reach the ISS on Saturday, followed by three separate spacewalks that will let astronauts connect the Columbus module. The lab will host a variety of experiments requiring either zero gravity, or vacuum conditions.

The mission is being closely watched in Europe, where the Columbus lab represents a significant expansion of the continent's space program, being followed early next month by the launch of the European Space
Agency's first space cargo vessel. Here's an ESA official, talking to the Guardian U.K.:

"For the first time we'll have control of our own spacecraft and our own astronauts from our own ground control center in
Europe," said Alan Thirkettle, ESA's space station manager. "We've been part of a European ground agency for too long, as far as the space station is concerned. This more than gives us a voice at the table."

NASA, Europeans Delighted by Atlantis Launch [NASA]
Shuttle Atlantis blasts off carrying Europe's space hopes [Guardian UK]

(Image: Atlantis lifts off. Credit: NASA TV)