Updated: Thu, Feb 8, 2001, 1:22 AM ET (0622 GMT)
Originally Posted: Wed, Feb 7, 2001, 8:08 PM ET (0108 GMT)
The space shuttle Atlantis lifted off Wednesday at 6:13 pm EST (2313 GMT) from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The launch took place two minutes later than planned to deal with a minor technical issue discovered during the T-9 minute hold, but otherwise the countdown and launch proceeded flawlessly. The shuttle is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station shortly before 12 pm EST (1700 GMT) Friday to attach the Destiny lab module to the orbiting facility. The shuttle is scheduled to return to Earth on February 18.

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