[Updated at 2:30 p.m.] Space Shuttle Atlantis is now successfully in orbit, NASA said.
[Updated at 2:29 p.m.] Space Shuttle Atlantis' main engine cutoff is confirmed, NASA said, and the external fuel tank has separated.
[Updated at 2:28 p.m.] Atlantis is in "excellent shape heading into orbit," NASA said.
[Updated at 2:25 p.m.] NASA said all systems are operating normally on Space Shuttle Atlantis.
[Updated at 2:22 p.m.] Solid rocket booster separation has been confirmed, NASA said.
[Posted at 2:20 p.m.] The Space Shuttle Atlantis has cleared the tower from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The crew of six astronauts will deliver an integrated cargo carrier and a Russian-built mini research module to the International Space Station.
There are three remaining shuttle missions - including Friday's scheduled launch - before the program ends.
Congrats and Gods Speed From All The People at Y-Knect. People around the world are proud of all of you and looking forward to the the next gen. of space flight! Take a Spin for all of us who cant be there in person.!!!!!
What are they going to start using to go into space?
I do not see any shuttle names mentioned anywhere, not just here.
Make us proud! Live long & prosper.. V
Have a great trip, Atlantis!
Ed, the Russians are going to going into space, doing the jobs the Americans won't be able to do, for several years now until we have a new spacecraft system in place.
The Russian space program for now....
WHAT!? This is Atlantis's LAST mission? 🙁
Ed, I think we're going to buy seats on Russian launches at some very pricey fee. Wish it were otherwise....
They will be hitching a ride with the Russians because Obama cancelled the Constellation program to go back to the moon.
Space Travel should be run by NASA. (Not Private Companies) No one dose it better, or has the training and people to do a better job. What do you say MR. President?? Keep NASA Afloat.....Lets keep exploring the stars.
I remember the first launch of Columbia and I can't believe that 30 years later, we're seeing the final three flights of the remaining fleet. This program advanced our space program by leaps and bounds and I, for one, will be saddened when it comes to an end. We need to press on and develop new sciences and technologies that will further our exploration and understanding of our universe. God bless the United States of America and, indeed, the whole of the human race!
The current administration seems to like the approach of taking one step forward, and half a dozen back. It's really said!
True heroes for all of us.
Thank NASA for give this opportunity in a new era in technology
the first moon landing and the other moon landings never happened. how? google this " moon landing hoax".