STS-125 Launch

Space shuttle Atlantis lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 11th May 2008, rising on twin columns of fire to embark on STS-125, the final shuttle mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

Liftoff was right on time at 2:01 p.m. EDT following a countdown that proceeded relatively smoothly throughout the day. Late in the countdown, launch managers had to evaluate an unexpected ice formation on the liquid hydrogen umbilical, and a buildup of cumulus clouds threatened the favorable weather forecast. But those issues were quickly resolved, and in a post-launch press conference, NASA managers praised the launch team for its expertise and efficiency.

"The teams here at (Kennedy Space Center) gave us a great vehicle, and ascent was good," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations. "It was a great start to a very challenging mission."

During the 11-day mission's five spacewalks, astronauts will install two new instruments, repair two inactive ones and perform the component replacements that will keep the telescope functioning into at least 2014.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• STS-125
• STS
• 125
• Launch
• Liftoff
• Space
• Shuttle
• Atlantis

[tomaselvis]

May the spaghetti monster guide you!

[sledger25]

Final Flight to the Hubble.. after this mission there'll be 8 more flights, all of them to the ISS

[Shadowsnshades]

Thanks Bruno.

[sail027li]

STS will be missed - especially with that view of the shuttle approaching & docking with ISS. Orion won't come close.

[twothlesswonder]

I've been waiting a while for this mission to happen. I sure hope all goes well with the repairs...

[Chrisjr2007]

Final flight to Hubble.

[AblePumper]

FANTASTIC LAUNCH as always, but there's a bit of sadness as this is the last Mission to Hubble and its Fate is as murky or even Gloomy as it can be.

[MewFushisDad]

That is so amazing. It never fails to amaze me to see another launch into space.

Is this the final shuttle mission ever or just the final flight to the Hubble telescope?

[Chrisjr2007]

WOOHOO!

[austinanderson01]

good