Space shuttle Atlantis launched Monday afternoon to deliver key spare parts to prolong the life of the International Space Station. The shuttle lifted off as scheduled, at 2:28 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral. The delivery will add years to the station"s life after the space shuttle fleet is retired next year, according to NASA. Monday"s launch is among six planned before then, CNN reported. The six-member crew will return to Earth with flight engineer Nicole Stott, who launched in August. The mission also will include three spacewalks and installation of two platforms to the station"s backbone. The platforms will hold spare parts to sustain station operations after the shuttles are discontinued. Other items set for delivery include nitrogen and ammonia tank assemblies, a high-pressure gas tank and the station"s robotic arm. The tanks help cool and pressurize the station.