Compiled from staff reports. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time. The launch is scheduled for 2:45 p.m.

3:25 p.m.: Crowd Applauds Atlantis Launch
The crowd of several hundred at Space View Park applauded as Atlantis sailed off into the distance. About half the crowd filed out after the shuttle disappeared from view roughly three minutes into its flight; the rest listened to Mission Control on the speaker system, chatted about what they had just seen, or just soaked in what turned out to be a beautiful afternoon. A chorus could be heard from all sides as the satisfied crowd meandered out of the park: "We will definitely do this again!" -- WESH.com Web Staff

3:20 p.m.: Honeymooners Enjoy Launch
Honeymooners James and Angel Fanguy were not disappointed in the launch. "It was awesome," said James. "It gave me chills; I even cried a little," said Angel. As they left, tears could be seen on the face of their young son, Abbie; but Mom and Dad both insisted he loved the launch too. -- WESH.com Web Staff

2:45 p.m.: Atlantis Launches From Cape Canaveral
The last nine minutes of the shuttle countdown went off without a hitch, and Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center effortlessly on its 29th mission. The shuttle is heading for the International Space Station with a seven-member crew and European space laboratory. -- WESH.com Web Staff

2:39 p.m.: Countdown Resumes Toward Launch
The countdown clock has resumed and launch is just minutes away. Crowds are gathering near the shuttle countdown clock and everything is looking good, including the weather. -- WESH.com Web Staff

2:34 p.m.: Mission Control 'Go' For Launch
Mission controllers at NASA have conducted their final poll for launch, and they've said they're ready for launch. The countdown will resume in just a few minutes. --WESH.com Web Staff

2:24 p.m.: Honeymooners From Louisiana
Louisiana natives James and Angel Fanguy are on their honeymoon. A trip to Space View Park for a shuttle launch wasn't planned, but when James heard about the launch, he convinced his new bride to go. "It's something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid," James said, gesturing towards their young son Abbie, asleep in his stroller. "And now I can share it with my kid." -- WESH.com Web Staff

2:17 p.m.: Visitors From Albuquerque and Phoenix Bill and Marlene Hyde could have seen the shuttle launch from their front yard, but they wouldn't have been able to hear it for about ten minutes afterwards. So they drove down to Space View Park to watch with their friends Ruth, John and Chris McCall, who flew in from Albuquerque and Phoenix just for the launch. It's the first space shuttle launch for all five, and they said they are very excited. "We could see it, but from here we can feel it," Bill Hyde said. -- WESH.com Reporter Ryan Huffman

1:58 p.m.: Weather Threatens Launch Again
NASA weather officers say weather is violating criteria for a return-to-launch-site abort. That's because of storms near the shuttle landing site and crosswinds. They'll monitor throughout the hold. -- WESH.com Web Staff

1:50 p.m.: Countdown Holds At T-Minus 9 Minutes
The countdown clock is holding again at T-minus 9 minutes. Before the countdown resumes, the launch director will poll the launch team for a go or no go for launch. The weather conditions are looking better. There's more blue skies than clouds at the launch pad. Weather officials are looking for clouds that could grow vertically and threaten the shuttle's liftoff. The hold will last 40 minutes. -- WESH.com Web Staff

1:39 p.m.: Countdown Resumes At Launch Pad
The countdown clock is ticking again after a built-in hold. Onboard computers are now being configured for launch, and fuel-cell thermal conditioning is being started aboard Atlantis. During the next 11 minutes, cabin vent valves aboard Atlantis will be closed, and backup flight systems will also be put in their launch configuration. -- WESH.com Web Staff

1:29 p.m.: Countdown Holds At T-Minus 20 Minutes
The countdown clock has reached the T-minus 20 minute mark and will hold for 10 minutes. During this hold, the shuttle test director will conduct a final launch team briefing and inertial measurement unit preflight alignments will be completed. -- WESH.com Web Staff

1:09 p.m.: Astronaut In Plane Says Weather OK
The pilot of the NASA weather plane sounded optimistic at 12:30 p.m. "Looking out 30 to 40 miles into the distance, I don't see any significant buildups," reported Astronaut Steve Lindsey, referring to the clouds. He sounds like he believes there's a chance, and he's been doing this a long time. -- WESH-TV Reporter Dan Billow

12:59 p.m.: Launch Weather Improves Slightly
The launch forecast is improving a bit. NASA weather officer Kathy Winters says there's now a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions at the time of launch. That's up from 30 percent earlier today. The main concern continues to be clouds and showers near the launch pad. -- WESH.com Web Staff

12:51 p.m.: Atlantis Hatch Closed For Flight
The hatch on space shuttle Atlantis is closed and latched, and the closeout crew will now perform leak checks before leaving the launch pad. -- WESH.com Web Staff

12:40 p.m.: Defying The Weather Odds Video
Many people wonder why NASA continues a countdown in the face of a dismal forecast like today's. Astronaut Pat Forrester gave a good response to that question on NASA-TV this morning. He faced a similar situation on a shuttle mission a few years ago. The weather cleared unexpectedly. "I remember coming out of the nine-minute hold with a go for launch and not having my mind thinking that we're going to launch," Forrester said. "So anytime I'm getting ready for launch from now on, I'm thinking that's what we're going to do." On Jan. 25, 1986, NASA called off a planned launch of space shuttle Challenger because of a bad forecast for Jan. 26. That day dawned with unexpected perfect weather. Challenger could have launched. Its launch two days later in freezing weather ended with a disastrous explosion. -- WESH-TV Reporter Dan Billow

12:19 p.m.: Radar Indicates Shower Near Launch Pad
NASA is reporting a shower within 8 miles of Launch Pad 39A. Weather officers continue to report just a 30 percent chance of acceptable weather conditions at the time of launch, which is set for 2:45 p.m. -- WESH.com Web Staff

12:14 p.m.: Crowd Gathers At Space View Park
Hundreds have gathered at Space View Park in Titusville to watch the launch. The park is about 15 miles west of the launch pad, with an unobstructed view across the Indian River. Additionally, a speaker is hooked into the NASA communication system, allowing the park's visitors to keep up with everything that's happening. -- WESH.com Web Staff

12:02 p.m.: Expressway Authority Warns Drivers
The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is asking drivers heading east on the BeachLine to Brevard County to make sure they have a full tank of gas. Officials warn drivers could get stuck in traffic jams while traveling to watch the launch. Similar delays are expected on the trip home, which could interfere with the afternoon commute. -- WESH.com Web Staff

11:57 a.m.: Cloud Issue Clears For Now
The ceiling visibility issue is back within normal constraints. Shuttle weather officers will continue to monitor conditions through the afternoon. -- WESH.com Web Staff

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