NSB residents, tourists flock to bridges, beach to get glimpse of shuttle take-off

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. People flock to the South Causeway Bridge in New Smyrna Beach to catch a glimpse of the shuttle take-off from Cape Canaveral. Others gather at the North Causeway Bridge as well as the beach for the 2 p.m. Monday liftoff.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Countless New Smyrna Beach residents and visitors alike took to the highest elevations -- the North and South Causeway bridges -- and the most open area -- the beach -- to get a glimpse of the 2 p.m. Monday liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis from the Kennedy Space Center.

The mission of Atlantis' seven-member crew is to repair and install new instruments for the Hubble Telescope in hopes of keeping it going another five to 10 years.