Updated: Shuttle blasts off on final flight

Atlantis has blasted off on Nasa's last space shuttle launch. The historic lift-off came 30 years and three months after the very first shuttle flight. Four astronauts are riding Atlantis to orbit. The shuttle is bound for the International Space...

Atlantis has blasted off on Nasa's last space shuttle launch.

The historic lift-off came 30 years and three months after the very first shuttle flight.

Four astronauts are riding Atlantis to orbit. The shuttle is bound for the International Space Station, making one final supply run.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators jammed Cape Canaveral in Florida and surrounding towns for the farewell.

Kennedy Space Centre itself was packed with shuttle workers, astronauts and 45,000 invited guests, the maximum allowed.

The flight will last 12 days. Weather permitting, Atlantis will return to Kennedy, where it will end up on permanent display.

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