launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

STS-129 Launch. On Monday at 2:28 EST, the six-person crew of the space shuttle Atlantis launched from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin an 11-day delivery mission to the International Space Station. In addition to returning a station crew member who spent more than two months in orbit, the shuttle will deliver spare parts to the outpost.

About 30,000 pounds of spare parts for the systems that power the space station, prevent it from overheating, and keep it oriented correctly in space are being transported by Atlantis. The shuttle's special powers are best suited for transporting bulky equipment.