Space Shuttle Atlantis Begins Mission STS-98 With A Spectacular Post-Sunset Liftoff

By Cliff Lethbridge

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL (February 7, 2001) - Space Shuttle Atlantis became the first Space Shuttle launched in the New Millennium with a spectacular post-sunset liftoff at 6:13 p.m. EST today. Although the launch was postponed about three weeks to allow inspection and replacement of some Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) electrical cabling, launch from Pad 39A occurred on time with no delays. With the launch occurring just a few minutes after local sunset and just a few minutes after local Moonrise, eyewitnesses were treated to one of the most awesome and colorful launches in the history of the Space Shuttle program.

This marked the 23rd launch of Atlantis and the 102nd launch of a Space Shuttle. A crew of five astronauts will conduct the seventh Space Shuttle flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The main payload, perhaps one of the most significant ever carried into space, is the Destiny Laboratory, the second U.S. module to be used in ISS construction. Destiny will be providing the first scientific backbone of ISS, as well as adding to the overall electrical, life support and attitude control of the space station.

Destiny is roughly the size of a business jet liner fuselage and will arrive at ISS outfitted with four operational systems racks. The laboratory will eventually incorporate 24 racks, 11 in support of ISS operational systems and 13 in support of scientific experiments. Atlantis is scheduled to spend six days docked to ISS, with three spacewalks planned in support of construction activities. The mission is targeted for a Kennedy Space Center landing on February 18.

For More Information:

NASA STS-98 Press Kit

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