Perfect Final Liftoff for Endeavour [Video]

NASA’s space shuttle lifted off this morning, for the 25th and final ascent into space. The launch almost didn't happen but technicians quickly repaired damage to its heat shield.

A Mission Control team member at Kennedy Space Center in Florida told the crew, “This is a both a sad and proud moment for your launch team and America,”.

Commanding the orbiter’s final mission, called STS-134, is astronaut Mark Kelley — husband of U.S. representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona), who is still recovering from a failed Jan. 8, 2011 assassination attempt.

As they always have, the couple exchanged wedding rings prior to launch, and will swap back when he returns. Rep. Giffords watched  the launch from the Kennedy Space Center, sequestered from the press. But she did reach out via her Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“Good Morning! Who’s ready for the best the show on Earth? http://yfrog.com/h3srwkzj #NASA #NASATweetUp,” she Tweeted about three hours before launch. Post launch she shared: “From Team Giffords to @ShuttleCDRKelly & entire #STS134 crew: God Speed–We’ll see you in about two weeks.”

via http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/endeavour-final-launch/