SPACEPHOTOS

(09/08/2000) --- STS-106 Commander Terrence W. Wilcutt gets help with his launch and entry suit from suit technicians in the White Room before he enters Space Shuttle Atlantis. In the background can be seen the opening into Atlantis. The perfect on-time liftoff of Atlantis on mission STS-106 occurred at 8:45:47 a.m. EDT. On the 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the seven-member crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the living quarters in the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The first long-duration crew, dubbed “Expedition One,” is due to arrive at the Station in late fall. Landing of Atlantis is targeted for 4:45 a.m. EDT on Sept. 19