Cape Canaveral, Florida - Space shuttle Atlantis successfully took off on the final mission for the shuttle programme, Friday 8 July, NASA (the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration) said.
The launch, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 11.26 am EDT, marks the end of the 30-year space-shuttle venture.
The first shuttle was launched in April 1981 when Columbia took its first flight. The four other craft that helped complete the shuttle's 134 missions were Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.
The shuttles use specially developed polyurethane foam to protect and insulate their external fuel tanks. NASA created a special blend of polyols that would create a foam with incredible strength, insulation, durability and lightweight properties. The polyurethane foam's reaction with air gives the fuel tank its distinctive orange colour.
Commander Chris Ferguson and his three crewmates are scheduled to begin a 12-day mission to the International Space Station on 8 July, NASA said in a 28 June announcement.
PIC: Space shuttle Atlantis is seen as it lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39 (Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls).