The clouds of steam and smoke generated from the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis seem to blend with the sky.

The clouds of steam and smoke generated from the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis seem to blend with the sky. The launch is reflected in waters near Launch Pad 39B. 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