Bob Cabana and STS-126 NASA Test Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson show off their ties.

After the successful launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-126 mission at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Center Director Bob Cabana and STS-126 NASA Test Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson show off their newly clipped ties that signified their initiation experiencing their first shuttle launch. Liftoff was on time at 7:55 p.m. EST. STS-126 is the 124th space shuttle flight and the 27th flight to the International Space Station. The mission will feature four spacewalks and work that will prepare the space station to house six crew members for long-duration missions. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett