Feb. 7, 2008

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER - After years of preparation and nearly three months of delays, Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 2:45 p.m. ET Thursday afternoon with former Richmond football player, now NASA astronaut Leland Melvin on board. Melvin `86 is a mission specialist on board Atlantis and will operate the shuttle's robotic arm during the mission, in which the shuttle will dock with the International Space Station.

The University will hold a countdown celebration in honor of the first Spider in space beginning at 2:15 p.m. at The Pier in Tyler Haynes Commons. Students, faculty, staff, and local alumni are invited to watch the launch "live" on a giant television screen. Free "space" food and refreshments will be served.

The actual launch date and time are subject to change depending on weather conditions and other circumstances. Please check the NASA Web site for the latest information, at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html.