CAPE CANAVERAL (nasa) – The Space Shuttle Atlantis has blasted off for an 11-day mission to the International Space Station.
Atlantis lifted-off Monday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, Florida after a four day delay because of a launch-pad fuel leak.
Just hours before launch, two U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercepted a small civilian plane that intruded into a no-fly zone extending 55 kilometers from the launch pad.
The plane was forced to land at a nearby airport. Officials believe it was a mistake, but an investigation is underway.
Security surrounding space shuttle flights has been tightened since the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. Measures include keeping launch times secret until 24-hours before lift-off.
Atlantis and its seven-astronaut crew will be on a major construction project at the International Space Station.
Astronauts will go on four spacewalks to install girders designed to support tons of equipment and solar electricity-generating panels. They will also build the first part of a small rail line that will transport a robot arm the length of the Space Station.
The STS-110 astronauts began their journey to the International Space Station at 3:44 p.m. CDT (2044 GMT) Monday when Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the station on Wednesday.
STS-110 is delivering the S0 (S-Zero) Truss to the orbital outpost. The S0 is the first of nine pieces that will serve as the station’s exterior framework. The crew will perform four spacewalks to install the S0 onto the station and install the Mobile Transporter onto the S0. This will be the 13th shuttle mission to visit the station.
With the successful launch, Mission Specialist Jerry Ross set the record for the most space flights by a human. This is Ross’ seventh trip into space.
