the rolldown is complete, and "atlantis" heads down for the proper alignment for the ride to orbit, and 400 million pounds of equipment and humans on board. 40 seconds into the flight, the three liquid fuel main engines throttling back to 72% of rate of performance in the bucket reducing stress on the shuttle as it goes transsonic for the final time. engines now revving up, and standing by for the throttle-up call. >> "atlantis" go with throttle up, and no action dpt. >> throttle up, and no action on the dpt. >> that call from the captain with the transducer and instrumental only, and no action is required. "atlantis" now 15 miles in altitude and already 16 miles down range from the kennedy space center and 1:40 already into the flight. "atlantis" flexing its muscles one final time. "atlantis" traveling almost 2600 miles an hour at 21 miles in altitude, and 24 miles down range and standing by for solid rocket booster separation. booster officer confirms staging, and a good solid rocket booster separation, and guidance is converging and the main engine steering the shuttle on a pinpoint