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CNN Today

Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission Flows Smoothly

Aired September 8, 2000 - 1:05 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: Atlantis is on its way to the International Space Station. Despite earlier concerns that rain could delay this morning's launch, the shuttle left the launch pad in Florida right on time.

And CNN space correspondent Miles O'Brien was at the Kennedy Space Center watching it liftoff. He's still at the Kennedy Space Center.

What's going on, Miles?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lou, the space shuttle Atlantis is now about 4 hours and 20 minutes into its mission. About three orbits accomplished. That's a fair amount of mileage in a short period of time.

Let's take a look at what that launch looked like.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): It's a deja vu rendezvous; 102 days after she returned to earth, space shuttle Atlantis left toward a back-to- back knock on the space station's front door.

Last time it was an urgent repair run, this time it will be a weightless welcome-wagon visit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mission is fairly tight.

O'BRIEN: So tight that NASA will add an extra day to the 11-day mission if the orbiter has enough fuel.

While they are docked, the seven-man crew will tote, float and stow more than two tons of stuff into the 13-story station. Food, clothing, office supplies, even the toilet. Essentials for the vanguard three-person crew slated for arrival in early November.

Astronaut Ed Lu will join Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko in a 6 1/2 hour space walk to connect cables and install an antenna outside the 13-story station.

The launch marks the beginning of an extended rush hour in space. Eight shuttles and seven Russian rockets are poised to build and outfit the station in the next 12 months. NASA and its contractors are hiring more people to maintain their stride.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have no constraint for launch.

O'BRIEN: The launch team didn't miss a step on this beautiful Florida morning. The countdown was virtually flawless.

A sublime premiere run for newly-promoted NASA launch director Mike Limebauch, who subsequently savored the traditional tie- shortening ceremony.

MIKE LIMEBAUCH, NASA LAUNCH DIRECTOR: This is a tradition we started some years ago in the space program: when certain positions get to launch for the first time, and this was my first mission today; and so it's a very cherished tie for me now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Meanwhile, NASA managers are cherishing this new phase of construction -- call it the heavy-lifting phase, if you will -- construction of the International Space Station.

And engineers are telling us that if you look at it technically, it's every bit as challenging as sending men to the moon -- Lou.

WATERS: Miles O'Brien covering the mission from the Kennedy Space Center today.

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