Guests at the VIP viewing site on the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center watch.

Guests at the VIP viewing site on the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center watch as space shuttle Atlantis leaps through the clouds after launch, leaving a long, curling contrail behind. Atlantis is racing to the International Space Station on mission STS-122. Liftoff was on time at 2:45 p.m. EST. The launch is the third attempt for Atlantis since December 2007 to carry the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. During the 11-day mission, the crew's prime objective is to attach the laboratory to the Harmony module, adding to the station's size and capabilities. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton