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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space shuttle Atlantis soars into the cloudy sky after liftoff on mission STS-122, which occurred on time at 2:45 p.m. EST, from Launch Pad 39A. Below the main engine nozzles can be seen the blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds. They are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. This is the third launch 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/Scott Haun, Richard Prickett