Space Shuttle Endeavor Lifts Off Flawlessly on Final Voyage

Space shuttle Endeavor blasted off on schedule Monday morning, making its final voyage.

The launch from Kennedy Space Center was flawless, as the orbiter rocketed into the clear blue Florida sky.

The final voyage of Endeavor, which replaced the ill-fated Challenger in 1992, is the penultimate shuttle mission. Atlantis is scheduled to close out the 30-year shuttle program with a final flight sometime this summer.

Endeavor is piloted by Mark Kelly, whose wife, U.S. Rep. Gabrelle Giffords, D-Ariz., was on hand today to witness the blastoff. Giffords, who had been critically injured in a Tucson shooting spree, was at the Kennedy Space Center for Endeavor's scheduled launch on April 29, but on-board mechanical issues forced a delay. The couple exchanged rings before today's launch, and each crew member wore "Love Peace Gabbie" wristbands.

The Obama family also was present for last month's planned liftoff, but was not at the space center today.

On its 16-day mission, Endeavor will service the International Space Station.