KSC-01pp1285

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Billows of smoke and steam surround Space Shuttle Atlantis as it blasts into the pre-dawn sky on mission STS-104. Atlantis lifted off from Launch Pad 39B on time at 5:03:59 a.m. EDT. The 10th assembly flight to the International Space Station, the mission is delivering the joint airlock module, which will require two spacewalks to attach it to the Space Station. The airlock will be the primary path for Space Station spacewalk entry and departure for U.S. spacesuits, and will also support the Russian Orlan spacesuit for EVA activity