An exhaust cloud engulfs Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as space shuttle Endeavour lifts off into the night sky.

Launch of the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station was at 4:14 a.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew and the final scheduled space shuttle night launch. The first attempt on February 7, 2010 was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather.

The primary payload for the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station is the Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency.

Kennedy Media Gallery: KSC-2010-1674

Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Kevin 'Connell.

Old Seven Mile Bridge in Florida, April 2006. Pre-dawn with scattered thunderstorms.

Taken at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida just after sunset. I had just finished eating dinner in town and I noticed the incredible cloud formations and rushed to the beach to get some shots. I had tried all week of my vacation to reflect the scenes I was seeing at the beach, and I believe I accomplished representing this scene with this photo. Taken at f/10 for 30sec on 100ISO with a Cokin P 2 stop GND filter.

This image was taken while I walked the moat wall surrounding Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. The fort is magnificent, huge and solid and stamped onto the otherworldly colors of the sky and water. A truly beautiful place.

Nikon D90, Photomatix.

After sundown in Naples, Florida. A 30-second exposure with a 0.9 GND filter.

This is a sunrise around Palm Beach, Florida. I liked how the glow from the homes on the right balanced with the sunrise on the left.

Nikon D90, Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM.

From the Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach, Florida. A great place to go shooting. I was trying out my buddy's 300mm lens. Really want the 100-400L from Canon.

Canon EOS 7D, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, f/13, 1/500. Adobe Lightroom.

This is a gorgeous/magical sunset in Miami Beach, taken from on top of the parking lot on Lincoln Road.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM.