Launch of space shuttle Atlantis

Space shuttle Atlantis took off at 00:58 hours (14:28 EST) from the Kennedy Space Centre. The shuttle is on a supply mission to the orbiting International Space Station. Apart from the staging of spare components, the 11-day mission will also include atleast three spacewalks. As the all-American crew in orange jumpsuits gathered, they were subjected to cheers and applause from the excited crowd.

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Six astronauts are headed to the international space station on an 11-day mission.The crew of space shuttle Atlantis leave the Operations and Checkout building to ride out to launch pad 39A to board the shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.,

The solid rocket boosters fall away from the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off,from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Six astronauts are headed to the international space station on an 11-day mission.Spectators watch Space shuttle Atlantis as it launches from pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., On the back of the grandstand is a large photo of the crew of astronauts on the shuttle

The crew of space shuttle Atlantis clockwise from lower left, commander Charles Hobaugh, mission specialist's Leland Melvin, Mike Foreman, Robert Satcher, Randy Bresnik and pilot Barry Willmore leave the Operations and Checkout building to ride out to launch pad 39A to board the shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen on launch pad 39a of the NASA Kennedy Space Center shortly after the rotating service structure was rolled back, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, Cape Canaveral, Fla.. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 2:28p.m. EST, Monday

In this photo provided by NASA, guests at NASA's Kennedy Space Center view the launch of space shuttle Atlantis in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Space shuttle Atlantis and its six-member crew began the 11-day STS-129 mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle will transport spare hardware to the outpost and return a station crew member who spent more than two months in space.