Update at 8:56 a.m. ET: Lift Off!
Our original post, with more updates below:
Space shuttle Endeavour and its crew of six astronauts is on schedule to blast off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:56 a.m. ET.
As NPR.org writes, "with wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) on hand to watch ... Endeavour is poised to give the work week a roaring and historic start Monday morning, overcoming wiring problems that grounded it last month." It is set to be the shuttle's final mission.
Giffords, who was critically wounded on Jan. 8 when a gunman attacked an event she was holding in Tucson, Ariz., (six people died and another 13, including Giffords, were wounded), is married to Endeavour commander Mark Kelly. She has been recovering at a rehabilitation hospital in Houston.
We'll update this post with news before, during and after the launch. There are, of course, many ways to monitor the mission; including:
-- Via NASA TV.
-- Via .
-- Via on Twitter.
Update at 9:20 a.m. ET. "Picture-Perfect Liftoff".
There's now a fresh story posted here. It begins:
"The space shuttle Endeavour made a picture-perfect liftoff Monday morning as it headed for the International Space Station in the penultimate flight of the shuttle era.
"Endeavour roared off the launch pad at 8:56 a.m. ET carrying a six-member crew and a multibillion-dollar particle physics experiment. One final shuttle mission remains, by Atlantis in July.
"As many as half a million people were expected to gather in the area around the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch as Endeavor streaked into space one last time before heading to retirement at a Los Angeles museum.
"Among them was mission commander Mark Kelly's wife, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords — recovering after being gravely wounded in a shooting rampage in Tucson earlier this year."
With that, we conclude our live-blogging of the launch. Scroll down to see how the story developed. And thanks for reading long.
Update at 9:12 a.m. ET. "Team Giffords" Wishes Crew "God Speed".
This just from Rep. Giffords' office:
"From Team Giffords to @ShuttleCDRKelly & entire crew: God Speed--We'll see you in about two weeks. ."
Update at 9:06 a.m. ET. "Safely Into Space":
NASA says the shuttle is now "safely into space" on its 16-day mission.
Update at 9:05 a.m. ET. "Main Engine Cutoff Has Been Confirmed":
The mission continues with no problems.
Update at 9:02 a.m. ET. "Main Engine Cutoff" Coming Up:
that "Endeavour launched on time at 8:56a ET. Main Engine Cutoff at 9:04a."
Update at 9 a.m. ET. All Systems In "Good Shape":
About 4 minutes into the flight, NASA reports all systems aboard appear to be in good shape.
Update at 8:58 a.m. ET. Successful Separation of the Twin Solid-Rocket Boosters.
Update at 8:56 a.m. ET. "Lift Off."
Update at 8:55 a.m. ET. "T-minus 1 minute."
Update at 8:54 a.m. ET. "T-minus 2 Minutes."
Update at 8:53 a.m. ET. "T-minus 3 Minutes, 30 Seconds."
Update at 8:51 a.m. ET. "T-minus 5 Minutes."
Update at 8:50 a.m. ET. "T-minus 6 Minutes."
Update at 8:47 a.m. ET. Countdown Resumes:
The planned "hold" is over and the countdown clock has started again. "T-minus 9 minutes and counting."
Update at 8:44 a.m. ET. 'Good Luck, Godspeed':
Launch control just told Kelly that the launch is a go and wished him and the crew "good luck, Godspeed."
Update at 8:42 a.m. ET. Launch Team 'Ready To Proceed':
NASA just went through its pre-launch status checks and reported that the launch team is "ready to proceed."
Update at 8:40 a.m. ET. Weather Is Good:
The word from the Space Center is that its a good day for a launch. Indeed, Weather.com says it's about 64 degrees with a 6-mph wind from the west northwest.
Update at 8:35 a.m. ET: About 20 minutes to go and the launch is still a "go," they just said on NASA TV.
Update at 8:15 a.m. ET:The launch is about 10 minutes into a planned 40-minute "hold" during which "a series of polls will be conducted to verify launch readiness," .
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