Atlantis Launch Ends Long Shuttle Delays

The space shuttle Atlantis blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center today after four months of repairs and delays. The shuttle and its 6-astronaut crew lifted off at 1945 GMT (3:45pm EDT), and reached orbit shortly after; by Wednesday it will link up with the International Space Station. A new camera, mounted on the external fuel tank pointed down at the shuttle, and showed the whole launch until separation.