Space shuttle Endeavour finally launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 2319 GMT on Wednesday 5 December, after a series of delays.
The launch was originally scheduled to take place on 29 November but was delayed due to an insecurely docked Russian cargo module at the ISS. The problem was fixed, but thick cloud over Cape Canaveral on 4 December delayed take-off again.
Endeavour will carry supplies and a new crew of two US astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS). The shuttle will remain at the outpost for eight days before returning to Earth on 16 December with the station’s current inhabitants.
The shuttle will take a number of scientific experiments to the ISS, including a batch of quails eggs for use in studying embryonic development and mice for osteoporosis research.
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Endeavour is the first shuttle to depart since the terrorist attacks of 11 September and was heavily guarded by the US military during take-off. The local no fly zone has been increased and fewer people will be allowed to attend the launch.
On 3 December Russian cosmonauts performed a successful space walk to remove a piece of stray rubber from one of the docking stations. The rubber seal had prevented the unmanned cargo ship from docking securely to the International Space Station (ISS) when it arrived on 28 November.
The cargo vessel was connected with the ISS on but could not lock itself firmly to the station because of the obstruction. It is thought a previous Russian Progress cargo ship left behind the circular rubber seal during undocking.
