KSC-01pp1290

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Billows of smoke and steam half frame Space Shuttle Atlantis as it roars into the still-black sky before dawn. At left can be seen the top of the lightning mast on Launch Pad 39B. Launch on mission STS-104 was 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