Sky Clears for Shuttle Liftoff on Seventh Try

Engulfed by an unusually thick cloud of white vapor, space shuttle Columbia rose from the launch pad and shot into orbit Friday on a research flight that had been delayed six times.

Eager to get going, the astronauts quickly set up their laboratory for 16 days of round-the-clock scientific work on one of NASA’s longest shuttle missions.

The seven-member crew will set fires, tend potato plants and grow protein and semiconductor crystals in the weightlessness of space, offering a glimpse of what life aboard the international space station will look like.

As the 4.5-million-pound spaceship rose from its seaside pad, billowing white vapor immediately enveloped Columbia, blocking it from view for five heart-stopping seconds.

NASA officials, seemingly unfazed, attributed the steam cloud to the use of two new engines, high humidity and the lighting and camera angles, and said it was no reason for concern.

The astronauts had been trying--and waiting--three weeks for the ride. A record-tying six times, their launch was thwarted by bad weather or equipment trouble. Low clouds and rain almost delayed Friday morning’s liftoff; the sky cleared at the last minute.

“Every one of these launches is unique and special. This one is particularly sweet,” said Wayne Littles, head of NASA’s spaceflight program.