Hiatus Ends as Atlantis Heads to Space Station
Atlantis blasted off from Cape Canaveral on the first space shuttle flight in four months, with a side-mounted “shuttle cam” video camera showing the coastline and the brilliant blue ocean receding fast in the distance as the craft climbed toward orbit.
The shuttle rose from its seaside pad under tight post-Sept. 11 security, carrying six astronauts and a 14-ton girder that will be installed on the international space station.
It was the first shuttle launch since delays caused by cracked fuel lines that grounded the fleet.
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