Space shuttle Endeavour rises from the smoke and steam at liftoff to begin the STS-126 mission.

On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour rises from the smoke and steam at liftoff to begin the STS-126 mission. Behind the shuttle is the fixed service structure with the lightning mast on top, seen above the external tank. 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 courtesy of Scott Andrews