Endeavour blasts off for ISS

© ITN 2009

US space shuttle Endeavour has successfully blasted off at the sixth opportunity from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

With seven astronauts on board, Endeavour soared into the sky at 6.03pm local time (11pm UK time) on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station.

It followed five delays due to fuel leaks, lightning strikes and poor weather.

The shuttle will deliver the final piece of Japan's $2.4 billion research laboratory, which the station's six-man crew will assist the Endeavour astronauts to install.

The Kibo laboratory, designed to hold experiments in an open space environment, will be installed during the first of five spacewalks planned during the Endeavour crew's 11-day stay.

Astronauts will also replace batteries and deliver space components needed to keep the station operational after the shuttle fleet is retired next year.