Space shuttle Atlantis makes historic last launch
The 135th space shuttle mission has lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, marking the beginning of the end of Nasa's shuttle programme.
Atlantis blasted off at 1129 local time (1529 GMT; 1629 BST) on Friday, despite initial concerns about the weather delaying the launch.
During the 12-day mission, the shuttle will ferry 3.5 tonnes of supplies to the International Space Station, before returning home to be retired to a museum.
David Shukman reports from Florida.
08 Jul 2011
- From the section Science & Environment