Launch Space Shuttle Endeavour breaks away from the billows of smoke and steam around Launch Pad 39B.

In a perfect, on-time launch, Space Shuttle Endeavour breaks away from the billows of smoke and steam around Launch Pad 39B. Liftoff of Endeavour occurred at 10:06:01 p.m. EST on mission STS-97. Endeavour and its five-member crew will deliver U.S. solar arrays to the International Space Station and be the first Shuttle crew to visit the Station’s first resident crew. The 11-day mission includes three spacewalks. This marks the 101st mission in Space Shuttle history and the 25th night launch. Endeavour is expected to land Dec. 11 at 6:19 p.m. EST