STS-115 Atlantis
Launches
 Sept. 9th  11:14:55am EDT


Page 1

Click here to go straight to Page 2 and launch photos!

Click here to see photos of STS-115's first launch attempt and rollback!

Click here to read about the STS-115 Mission!



I chose this photo first because lightning and weather played such a big roll in getting this mission off the ground.
Here Atlantis sits on Pad 39B (left side) the day after a scrubbed launch attempt on Sept. 6th
when a huge thunderstorm passed over the KSC area!



Later a bolt strikes just over Pad 39A behind the famous Countdown Clock!



I just happened to be out around the pad re-setting cameras when the RSS was being retracted from around the Shuttle.







We were all glad to get a sunset photo of Atlantis and another launch attempt.







By over exposing the bright xenon lights you see the photographers getting their shots.



Here the ISS (International Space Station) passes right over Atlantis on Pad 39B
 the night before the launch attempt on Sept. 6!
Thanks to Ben Cooper of SpaceflightNow.com for the headsup!



For the second time the crew of STS-115 walks to the Astro-Van for the 20 minute trip to Pad 39B.



I had the privilege to photograph this launch from the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)
which is 52 stories high. Below is a photo of the VAB I shot from the ground.



This massive building was built in 1963.
Click here to read the interesting facts about this building.




A view of  the Complex 39 Press Site!



There is a limit of about 13 people allowed on the roof for a Space Shuttle launch!
You can see pad 39B with Atlantis just to the left of the TV camera.


 
Click here to go to page 2 and see the launch photos!


 


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All images within this web page are Copyright 2006 William G. Hartenstein and are
protected under all applicable state and federal law.  Unauthorized use or duplication
without the written permission of the photographer is strictly prohibited.