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Updated Tuesday, February 9, 2010 1:00 pm TWN, By Marcia Dunn, AP



	Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts-off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., yesterday. Endeavour's six-member crew will deliver a large room with a cupola to the International Space Station. (AP) Enlarge Photo

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Space shuttle blasts off on last night flight

NASA's boss, ex-astronaut Charles Bolden, favors Mars. But he, too, is waiting to hear how everything will play out.

The space station came out a winner in the Obama plan. The president's budget would keep the outpost flying until at least 2020, a major extension.

The spectacle of the night launch illuminating the sky attracted a crowd, including some members of Congress and federal big shots. Endeavour shot through some thin clouds on its way into orbit, and its bright flame was visible for several minutes from the launch site.

More than 100 Europeans also were on hand because of the Italian-built Tranquility and domed cupola.

Within 15 minutes of taking off, the astronauts were enjoying “a beautiful sunrise” from orbit, with the moon as a backdrop. “Wish you could be here,” Zamka called down. “Great show, Endeavour,” replied Mission Control.

The four remaining shuttle flights to the station ─ in March, May, July and September ─ have daytime departures, at least for now. A significant delay could bump any of the launches into darkness. NASA has Obama's permission to bump a mission or two into 2011 if safety needs arise.

Given all the changes coming, the mood around the launching site was bittersweet.

The manager in charge of preparing Endeavour for launch, Dana Hutcherson, said everyone was excited to be part of the first launch of the new year.

“But let's face it, our KSC (Kennedy) team is going to have a challenging year ahead of us as the space shuttle is ending,” she said. “It's not going to be easy for us.”

Three spacewalks are planned during Endeavour's flight to hook up the new station compartments, beginning Thursday. The shuttle crew ─ five men and one woman, all Americans ─ will team up with the station residents to get the job done. Aboard the station are two Americans, two Russians and one Japanese.

Bolden sees that same blend of nations in NASA's future exploration efforts, whatever they are.

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