May 14th, 2010
02:28 PM ET

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off for final scheduled mission

[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.

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soundoff (15 Responses)
  1. J.M. Stalnaker

    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.!!!!!

    May 14, 2010 at 2:27 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Ed

    What are they going to start using to go into space?

    May 14, 2010 at 2:29 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Ed

    I do not see any shuttle names mentioned anywhere, not just here.

    May 14, 2010 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
  4. pararickf45

    Make us proud! Live long & prosper.. V

    May 14, 2010 at 2:32 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Ashley

    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.

    May 14, 2010 at 2:33 pm | Report abuse |
  6. SL

    The Russian space program for now....

    May 14, 2010 at 2:33 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Ashley

    WHAT!? This is Atlantis's LAST mission? 🙁

    May 14, 2010 at 2:33 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Margaret

    Ed, I think we're going to buy seats on Russian launches at some very pricey fee. Wish it were otherwise....

    May 14, 2010 at 2:34 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Taylor

    They will be hitching a ride with the Russians because Obama cancelled the Constellation program to go back to the moon.

    May 14, 2010 at 2:36 pm | Report abuse |
  10. RICK

    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.

    May 14, 2010 at 2:40 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Paul Swanson

    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!

    May 14, 2010 at 2:44 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Simon

    The current administration seems to like the approach of taking one step forward, and half a dozen back. It's really said!

    May 15, 2010 at 12:31 am | Report abuse |
  13. Dan Merten

    True heroes for all of us.

    May 16, 2010 at 10:10 am | Report abuse |
  14. blass

    Thank NASA for give this opportunity in a new era in technology

    June 4, 2010 at 6:10 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Juan Torres

    the first moon landing and the other moon landings never happened. how? google this " moon landing hoax".

    November 11, 2010 at 11:00 am | Report abuse |
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