Liftoff of first flight of Atlantis and the STS 51-J mission

Liftoff of first flight of Atlantis and the STS 51-J mission. Mid-day skies of Florida form the backdrop for this smokey scene of the 51-J launch (001); This photograph, taken from the support structure at Launch Pad 39A, captures the first moments of the initial blastoff of the shuttle Atlantis (002); This frame was taken moments after the Atlantis cleared the launch tower. The view is from the below the orbiter and show its solid rocket boosters firing (003).