The Space Shuttle Atlantis streaks into the sky on mission STS-106 after a perfect launch.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis streaks into the sky on mission STS-106 after a perfect on-time launch at 8:45:47 a.m. (EDT), September 8, 2000. Blue mach diamonds are barely visible beneath the main engine nozzles. 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 is due to arrive at the Station in late fall. Onboard the spacecraft were astronauts Terrance W. Wilcutt, Scott D. Altman, Edward T. Lu, Richard A. Mastracchio and Daniel C. Burbank, along with cosmonauts Yuri I. Malenchenko and Boris Morukov, both of whom represent Rosaviakosmos.