Clouds on the horizon seem to wait for their Space Shuttle Atlantis as it churns billows of steam and smoke.

Clouds on the horizon seem to wait for their rival Space Shuttle Atlantis as it churns billows of steam and smoke after launch. The perfect on-time liftoff of Atlantis on mission STS-106 occurred at 8:45:47 a.m. EDT. On the 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed “Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the Station in late fall. Landing of Atlantis is targeted for 4:45 a.m. EDT on Sept. 19