
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (center, standing) watches the computer screen as cameras document Space Shuttle Atlantis' climb toward space on mission STS-115. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. sts-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, NASA and KSC officials turn from their computers to watch through the broad windows the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. Second from left is Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, KSC officials turn from their computers to watch through the broad windows the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. Second from left is NASA Test Director Pete Nickolenko. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. sts-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier congratulates the launch team after the liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. Behind him, at right, are Pat Leslie and Robbie Ashley, STS-115 payload manager. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. Mission STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Following the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier, Launch Integration Director LeRoy Cain and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach respond to questions from the media during a post-launch press conference. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin congratulates the launch team after the liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. Behind him are (left to right) Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, Pat Leslie and Robbie Ashley, STS-115 payload manager. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. Mission STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, NASA and KSC officials applaud the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. From right are NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, NASA Flow Director Angie Brewer, and Public Affairs Officer George Diller, who provided commentary leading up to the launch. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, Robbie Ashley, STS-115 payload manager, and Pat Lesley, with United Space Alliance, receive a special award from (at left) Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach and (at right) NASA Flow Director Angie Brewer. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA and KSC officials discuss the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115 at a press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. From left are NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier, Launch Integration Director LeRoy Cain and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach.Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, NASA and KSC officials turn from their computers to watch through the broad windows the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. Second from left is Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Launch Control Center, KSC Director Jim Kennedy congratulates the launch team after the liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115. Behind him are (left to right) Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, Pat Leslie and Robbie Ashley, STS-115 payload manager. Mission STS-115 is the 116th space shuttle flight, the 27th flight for orbiter Atlantis, and the 19th U.S. flight to the International Space Station. Mission STS-115 is scheduled to last 11 days with a planned landing at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett