SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LIFTOFF TODAY PERFECT, MAY 11th, 2009

See pictures and read article below. Great liftoff. I am going to miss the shuttles when they end. Sad they have to end. Enjoy the video and pics. Thanks for stopping by.













Space shuttle Atlantis and a crew of seven astronauts are on their way to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope following liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:01 p.m. The 11-day STS-125 mission will be NASA's final service call to the space-based telescope.

At nearby Launch Pad 39B, space shuttle Endeavour is on standby in the unlikely event that a rescue mission for the Atlantis crew members would be necessary during their mission. Endeavour will be moved to Launch Pad 39A prior to its next missions, STS-127, targeted for a June launch.

This likely marks the last time two space shuttles will stand on the launch pads at the same time since the shuttle program is set to end next year.















The Mission to Hubble Begins
Mon, 11 May 2009 02:16:07 PM EDT


The STS-125 astronauts are in orbit aboard space shuttle Atlantis. The beautiful launch was just the beginning of this exciting mission. Soon, the crew will conduct five spacewalks to improve NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

We hope you will continue to follow the mission at www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Check back each day for the latest news, and be sure to join us on landing day for complete coverage of Atlantis' return to Earth. Thanks for following the countdown with NASA's Launch Blog.

Main Engine Cutoff
Mon, 11 May 2009 02:10:38 PM EDT


Right on time! We have main engine cutoff and external tank separation as Atlantis and crew reach the weightlessness of space.



Solid Rocket Booster Separation
Mon, 11 May 2009 02:04:43 PM EDT


The solid rocket boosters have separated. Atlantis continues its climb toward space, and all is going well with the flight as the shuttle's three main engines power the vehicle toward a point where it escapes Earth's atmosphere.

Atlantis Climbs Skyward
Mon, 11 May 2009 02:02:42 PM EDT

The shuttle rolls into a head-down position as it climbs skyward. About 30 seconds after liftoff, Atlantis' three main engines throttle down to about 72 percent. One minute after launch, the engines throttle up again to 104 percent, bringing the vehicle to the peak of aerodynamic pressure called "max Q."

Two minutes into flight, the twin solid rocket boosters will burn out and separate, falling back to Earth toward the Atlantic Ocean, where the booster recovery ships, Freedom Star and Liberty Star, are stationed to retrieve them.



Liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis!
Mon, 11 May 2009 02:02:04 PM EDT


Three... two... one... and liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis as the thunderous roar of its boosters and engines echoes across Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle has cleared the tower and is headed toward its mission to extend the life of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Mission Control at NASA�s Johnson Space Center in Houston is now in directing the flight.



Countdown in the Final Stretch
Mon, 11 May 2009 01:53:04 PM EDT


Coming out of the hold, the countdown clock is at T-9 minutes and counting. Liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis is just minutes away now as the automatic ground launch sequencer takes control of the countdown. During these final minutes, a number of events take place to ready the shuttle for launch. The crew access arm is retracted, as well as the gaseous oxygen vet arm. Atlantis' three auxiliary power units are started and activated, along with data recorders inside the Launch Control Center's Firing Room 4.



It's a "Go" for Atlantis' Launch!
Mon, 11 May 2009 01:49:28 PM EDT


Mission Management Team Chairman Michael P. Moses and NASA Test Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson both polled their teams, followed by a final poll by Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Atlantis is "go" for launch!



Launch Director Gets Briefing on Inspection
Mon, 11 May 2009 01:42:55 PM EDT


Inspection team members are currently briefing Launch Director Mike Leinbach on their findings regarding the ice located on an umbilical line.


Final Countdown Hold Begins
Mon, 11 May 2009 01:12:07 PM EDT


The countdown clock now stands at T-9 minutes and holding. This is the final built-in hold in today's countdown. During this time, the launch director, Mission Management Team and NASA test director conduct their final "go/no-go" polls. This hold will last 40 minutes, bringing the countdown in alignment with a 2:01 p.m. liftoff.



Inspection Team Members Prepare to Leave Launch Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 01:10:28 PM EDT


Members of the Final Inspection Team are heading back from Launch Pad 39A after taking a second look at some ice that is located on an umbilical. The launch team here at Kennedy's Launch Control Center will take a look at their findings.


Count Resumes
Mon, 11 May 2009 01:01:07 PM EDT


Coming out of the hold, the clock is once again moving, counting down toward a 2:01 p.m. liftoff. There will be one final hold at T-9 minutes. Atlantis' onboard computers are being transitioned to launch configuration and fuel cell thermal conditioning has begun. The shuttle cabin vent valves are being closed.



Inspection Team Returns to the Launch Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 12:56:22 PM EDT


Four members of the Final Inspection Team are back at Launch Pad 39A to take a second look at some ice that is located on an umbilical on the left side. They are doing their inspection from the zero level of the pad.


Second Built-in Hold Begins
Mon, 11 May 2009 12:51:56 PM EDT


The countdown clock now stands at T-20 minutes and holding. This is a built-in hold lasting 10 minutes. During this time, NASA Test Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson will conduct final launch team briefings.



Weather Update: Go!
Mon, 11 May 2009 12:47:24 PM EDT


Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters just updated Launch Director Mike Leinbach on the forecast for launch time. The launch site weather continues to be positive, and conditions at today's transoceanic abort landing site at Moron, Spain are now "go" as well.


It's a fact...
Mon, 11 May 2009 12:22:26 PM EDT


This mission to Hubble will enhance the observatory and ensure its cutting-edge science by putting in place advanced technology that improves its discovery power by 10 to 70 times.



Hatch Closure
Mon, 11 May 2009 12:08:24 PM EDT


With all seven astronauts strapped inside Atlantis, the closeout crew is closing Atlantis' hatch. They will perform hatch seal and cabin leak checks before departing the launch pad area, leaving the astronauts alone to await liftoff.



Red Team Leaving the Launch Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 11:38:21 AM EDT


The Red Team that was dispatched to the launch pad to verify the location of two shims from a side flame deflector in the flame trench is leaving the pad and reports no issues.



All Aboard Atlantis
Mon, 11 May 2009 11:34:10 AM EDT


Mission Specialist Megan McArthur is the last to board Atlantis, taking her position in the flight deck's left rear seat.



Red Team Dispatching to the Launch Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 11:11:52 AM EDT


A "Red Team" is being assembled to go to Launch Pad 39A. The three-person crew will verify the location of two shims from a side flame deflector in the flame trench that runs beneath the pad. Because of the location, camera views cannot provide the proper verification.


Two More Climb Aboard
Mon, 11 May 2009 11:05:25 AM EDT


Mission Specialist Michael Good is preparing to enter Atlantis' flight deck, where he will ride to space in the right rear seat. He will shortly be followed by Mission Specialist Mike Massimino, who will take the center seat on the middeck.



Astronauts Continue Boarding Atlantis
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:53:01 AM EDT


Next up is Pilot Gregory C. Johnson, who will take the forward right seat on the flight deck, followed by Mission Specialist John Grunsfeld, who will climb into the left middeck position. Since Atlantis is in a vertical position on the launch pad, the astronauts are actually reclining in their seats, facing skyward.



Climb Aboard
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:44:42 AM EDT


The astronauts are beginning to board space shuttle Atlantis from the White Room. Commander Scott Altman is the first to enter the shuttle and strap into the forward left seat on the flight deck. Next to board will be Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel, who will be located in the right seat on Atlantis' middeck.

As a standard part of the boarding process, all the astronauts do a communication test, or "comm" check, to verify that they are in two-way communication with both the launch team at Kennedy and mission control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.



At the Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:35:47 AM EDT


The astronauts have reached the foot of Launch Pad 39A where space shuttle Atlantis waits to carry them on their mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. They'll ride the pad's elevator up to the 195-foot level where the White Room crew awaits their arrival.



Astronauts Headed to the Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:28:47 AM EDT


The Astrovan reached the Launch Complex 39 area where it briefly paused here at the Launch Control Center so that some of the management team could disembark. They are now continuing the remaining few miles east to the launch pad.


Atlantis' Crew Doing "The Walk"
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:16:24 AM EDT


Smiling and waving to cheering space center workers, the STS-125 astronauts are making their way out of the Operations and Checkout Building where their crew quarters is located. They are walking the short distance to the silver Astrovan that will carry them to the launch pad. Ever since 1984, each shuttle crew has traveled to the launch pad aboard the same vehicle. A modified Airstream motor home, the Astrovan is used solely to transport the astronauts on three occasions: to the launch pad for launch dress rehearsal, on launch day and after landing.



Countdown Resumes
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:11:06 AM EDT


Reaching the end of the 2 1/2 hour built-in hold at T-3 hours, the countdown clock is once again ticking down toward today's liftoff. There are two more built-in holds in today's countdown, coming at the T-20 and T-9 minute marks.



Team Completes Inspection
Mon, 11 May 2009 10:02:12 AM EDT


Right on schedule, the Final Inspection Team members have reported they are preparing to leave Launch Pad 39A and have no issues to report.


Launch Preparations Continue at Several Sites
Mon, 11 May 2009 09:55:27 AM EDT


Inside the crew quarters of the Operations and Checkout Building, the astronauts are climbing into on their pressurized launch-and-entry suits before departing for the launch pad aboard the Astrovan. Stationed about 150 miles off the mid-Florida coast in the Atlantic Ocean, NASA's booster recovery ships, Freedom Star and Liberty Star, stand ready to retrieve and tow to shore the two solid rocket boosters that will tumble into the ocean.

As space shuttle Atlantis stands ready on Launch Pad 39A, technicians inside the White Room are making final preparations for the astronauts' arrival at the pad.

Here in the Launch Control Center, just over three miles from the launch pad, the launch team is assembled at their consoles in Firing Room 4.



Weather Looking Good
Mon, 11 May 2009 09:46:36 AM EDT


Launch weather in Florida continues to be very favorable, with a 90-percent chance of permitting liftoff today. Keeping track of today's weather conditions from the Shuttle Training Aircraft will be astronaut Steve Lindsey, chief of the Astronaut Corps. The team will continue to monitor weather at today's only transoceanic abort landing site at Moron, Spain. Some earlier showers are expected to clear the area by launch time.

Today's launch team has a longer launch window than is typical for launches to the International Space Station -- 62 minutes -- with the scheduled launch time occurring 20 minutes into that window at 2:01 p.m.



Weather Briefing
Mon, 11 May 2009 09:32:21 AM EDT


In crew quarters, Commander Scott Altman and his crew are scheduled to receive a weather briefing shortly from flight controllers at the Mission Control Center in Houston before they begin suiting up. As they put on the familiar, orange launch-and-entry suits, the astronauts are assisted by suit technicians from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Once suited, they'll take that familiar walk from the Operations and Checkout Building to the waiting Astrovan for the 20-minute trip to the launch pad. At the pad, one by one they'll strap into their seats aboard Atlantis in anticipation of a 2:01 p.m. liftoff.



Closeout Crew at the Pad
Mon, 11 May 2009 09:23:34 AM EDT


Members of the closeout crew are inside the White Room making final preparations before the astronauts climb aboard Atlantis. The team is joined by today's Astronaut Support Personnel, led by astronaut Kay Hire. The team works in advance of the crew's arrival at the pad, and helps them as they board the shuttle.


Final Inspection Team at Launch Pad 39A
Mon, 11 May 2009 09:11:07 AM EDT


The seven-member Final Inspection Team, also known as the Ice Team, is conducting a top-to-bottom examination of the shuttle and launch pad. The team has the crucial and potentially dangerous job of inspecting the entire space shuttle stack -- orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters -- to locate any unusual ice buildup, debris or damage that could endanger the vehicle and crew after liftoff.



Final Hubble Servicing Mission
Mon, 11 May 2009 08:55:23 AM EDT


Today's liftoff will mark the fifth and final time that a space shuttle crew will fly a servicing mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis' crew will conduct five spacewalks to install new instruments, repair and refurbish existing equipment, and replace gyroscopes and batteries. The work is expected to extend the life of the observatory into the next decade.



Great Day for a Launch
Mon, 11 May 2009 08:43:54 AM EDT


The weather along Florida's east coast where NASA's Kennedy Space Center is located has been hot and dry, and there is only a 10-percent chance of weather issues at liftoff time.


The STS-125 Crew
Mon, 11 May 2009 08:38:32 AM EDT


After an early wake-up call in the crew quarters, the astronauts underwent a final prelaunch medical exam at about 6 a.m.

Veteran astronaut Scott Altman commands this final space shuttle mission to Hubble, with Gregory C. Johnson serving as pilot. Mission specialists include veteran spacewalkers John Grunsfeld and Mike Massimino, and first-time space fliers Andrew Feustel, Michael Good and Megan McArthur.



Launch Day for Atlantis and STS-125 Crew
Mon, 11 May 2009 08:30:28 AM EDT


Good morning and thanks for joining NASA's Launch Blog as we follow the countdown to launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the final mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

Today's live updates are coming to you from inside the Launch Control Center's Firing Room 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Just a few miles east of here, Atlantis stands ready on Launch Pad 39A.

The count is in the T-3 hour built-in hold and scheduled to resume at 10:11 a.m. Just after 4 a.m., the Mission Management Team met and gave the "go" to fill Atlantis' giant orange external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The operation was completed an hour ago, and both propellants will remain in stable replenish mode until the final minutes of today's countdown.



Live Countdown Coverage
Mon, 11 May 2009 07:28:56 AM EDT


Launch day has arrived for space shuttle Atlantis and crew, and our live blog updates will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Go Atlantis!