Sixth Time's A Charm... (July 16, 2009)

[ChrisReid]

After five scrubbed launch attempts, Endeavour successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center. Here are some spectacular pictures of the stormy conditions that preceded Wednesday's launch and some great shots of the actual takeoff. Soon the shuttle will make the 29th NASA rendezvous with the International Space Station and complete the Kibo science laboratory. STS-127 is scheduled to last 16 days.

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Original update published on July 16, 2009

 

[ELTEE]

Wow, great looking pictures. It looks like the spacecraft may have been damaged during the launch with pieces of frozen condensation. We'll have to wait and see what the inspection at the ISS turns up.

In the meantime, let's keep our fingers crossed. That closeup just after liftoff is truly inspiring.