STS108-S-009 (5 December 2001) --- Smoke billows from Launch Pad 39B as the Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off into an afternoon sky to begin the STS-108 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff occurred at 5:19:28 p.m. (EST), December 5, 2001. Onboard were four STS-108 astronauts and three Expedition Four crewmembers en route to replace a three-person crew aboard the orbital outpost.
