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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the Launch Control Center Firing Room at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, STS-122 Launch Director Doug Lyons (left) and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach watch the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff was on time at 2:45 p.m. EST from Launch Pad 39A. The launch is the third attempt for Atlantis since December 2007 to carry the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. During the 11-day mission, the crew's prime objective is to attach the laboratory to the Harmony module, adding to the station's size and capabilities. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett