Cape Canaveral, Nov 16 (THAINDIAN NEWS) In a successful launch, space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of six astronauts are finally headed for space, all set to begin their 11-day mission to the International Space Station. The climb to orbit will take about 9 minutes. The shuttle cleanly lifted off from Launch Pad 39A on time from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:28 p.m. EST. as there weren’t any technical glitches and the weather also didn’t play spoilsport.

This critical STS-129 mission will be commanded by Charles O. Hobaugh and piloted by Barry E. Wilmore. Mission Specialists are Robert L. Satcher Jr., Mike Foreman, Randy Bresnik and Leland Melvin. However it is the first space trip for Wilmore, Satcher and Bresnik.

According to reports, Atlantis and its prepared crew will deliver two control moment gyroscopes, equipment and EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 1 and 2 to the International Space Station. On this mission, there will be a total of 3 space-walks. This mission will also be the return trip for Nicole Stott to Earth.