The Space Store » Space Shuttle Atlantis

The Space Shuttle Atlantis leaving Earth from Launch Pad 39B. Shortly after lift-off the shuttle begins a roll program to orient the shuttle orbiter on the underside of the fuel tank for the 8 minute journey into orbit. By flying this way, the forces on the vehicle and astronauts are lessened. My depiction shows the vehicle about half way through this maneuver. Scheduled to...