Shuttle Endeavour launches one last time

The US space shuttle Endeavour has launched on its final mission.

Its thunderous rise into a bright morning sky over the Kennedy Space Center in Florida was watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators, the BBC News reported.

"This mission represents the power of teamwork, commitment and exploration," the commander said in a radio call to launch controllers moments before lift-off. "It is in the DNA of our great country to reach for the stars and explore. We must not stop."

Endeavour cleared the pad just after 0856 local time (1256 GMT; 1356 BST). It is now on a path to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday.

The ship will deliver a $2bn particle physics experiment, known as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), and a tray of critical spare parts.

On Endeavour's return, the only active ship left in the US space agency's (Nasa) shuttle fleet will be Atlantis. It should undertake its final mission sometime in July.

"Today's final launch of Endeavour is a testament to American ingenuity and leadership in human spaceflight," Nasa Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement.

"As we look toward a bright future with the International Space Station as our anchor and new destinations in deep space on the horizon, we salute the astronauts and ground crews who have ensured the orbiter's successful missions.

On completion of the 30-year shuttle program, America will use Russian Soyuz capsules to fly its astronauts to the ISS.

A number of US national commercial carriers are expected to enter into service around the middle of the decade.

Nasa will then buy seats in these astronaut "taxis". The arrangement will represent a major change in the way the agency does business. No longer will it own the vehicles it uses to go to low-Earth orbit.