Endeavor lifts off on final mission

The US space shuttle blasted into space on Monday morning from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to deliver the detector known as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS).

Endeavor was launched at about at 8:56 a.m. local time (1256 GMT) and took the eight and a half minutes flight to the orbit.

"This mission represents the power of teamwork, commitment and exploration," Xinhua quoted shuttle commander Mark Kelly as saying shortly before lift-off.

It is the 25th and ultimate scheduled flight for the spaceship, which will retire after 20 years in service.

Endeavor's 16-day mission will feature four spacewalks to do maintenance work and install new components. These are the last scheduled spacewalks by shuttle crew members.

AMS, a particle physics detector, is designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays. Its experiments are designed to help researchers study the formation of the universe and search for evidence of dark matter, strange matter and antimatter.

Endeavor will also fly a platform that carries spare parts, including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for Canadian Dextre robotic arm. These spare parts will sustain space station operations once the shuttles are retired from service.

NASA's 30-year-old shuttle program is ending due to high operating costs.

A last mission for Atlantis is scheduled for July, though funding for Atlantis remains in question.

When the US space shuttle program officially ends later this year, the Russian space program's Soyuz capsule will be the only method for transporting astronauts to and from the ISS