JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: After three consecutive weather- related scrubs, it was a flawless and on time liftoff this morning for the space shuttle Atlantis. The seven-member crew was on a mission to repair and re-stock the International Space Station. CNN's Gina London report.</s>GINA LONDON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After a string of delays, finally a picture-perfect launch against an early morning Florida sky.</s>DAVE KING, SHUTTLE LAUNCH DIRECTOR: Well, they say that good things come to those who wait, and we waited for a while on this one, but the satisfaction is immense.</s>LONDON: The space shuttle Atlantis is the most-improved member of the shuttle fleet. It is equipped with a new state-of-the-art glass cockpit. The seven-member crew has embarked on a 10-day mission to service the ailing International Space Station. Far from complete, it already needs repairs to a crane and communication gear. And the Russian-made Zarya module needs four, possible five, of its six batteries replaced. About a ton of equipment will be offloaded to the</s>ISS: cameras, clothing, medical and exercise gear are among the $1.5 million worth of goods to be used by the men and women who are to one day live aboard the space station.</s>MARY ELLEN WEBER, MISSION SPECIALIST: It is very exciting to be going to the space station, be involved in an incredible endeavor that we are trying to do, and that is build a space station.</s>LONDON: Meantime, the station is losing about a mile-and-a-half of altitude each week. Atlantis is set to give it a much-needed push into higher orbit. (on camera): And NASA hopes Atlantis will be able to boost the ISS some 26 miles up so it will be in the proper position for the next phase of this program. Late in July, the Russian service module is set to launch that could serve as living quarters for the first permanent crew. Gina London, CNN, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Takes Off on ISS Repair Mission