CAPE CAVAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Shuttle Atlantis is in orbit after an incredible launch Monday at the Kennedy Space Center.
The shuttle is carrying almost 30,000 pounds of supplies, along with six astronauts to the International Space Station. The supplies are to help keep the space station functioning for years to come. Atlantis will reach the space station Wednesday.
This will be an 11 day trip for astronauts onboard Atlantis during which they'll make three spacewalks. They are expected to return the day after Thanksgiving. Monday's launch was one of six before this program is retired.
NASA made a first with Atlantis' launch Monday with "tweetup". About 100 space enthusiasts tweeted about the amazing liftoff. NASA estimates the 100 tweeters have a following of more than 150,000 people.
