<p><br /> Nasa's Discovery space shuttle has finally taken off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<br /> </p><p><br /> The much-anticapated mission finally took to the skies to head to the International Space Station four months behind schedule.<br /> </p><p><br /> The five-man, one-woman crew includes commander Steven Lindsey, pilot Eric Boe, spacewalkers Bowen and Alvin Drew, along with Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott.<br /> </p><p><br /> They will spend 11 days in orbit. Two spacewalks are planned during Discovery's week long stay at the station.<br /> </p><p><br /> The mission had encountered delays, due to problems with the ship's fuel tank, since last November.<br /> </p><p><br /> The vessel carries a storage room for the $100-billion space station, as well as a platform to house spare parts outside the station, and equipment and supplies.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Discovery is the first of three shuttles NASA plans to retire this year as it phases out its shuttle program.<br /> </p><p><br /> Nasa plans to launch shuttle Endeavour on its final flight in April, and end the program with a final cargo haul to the station over the summer aboard Atlantis, though funding for that mission has not yet been allotted.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 30-year-old shuttle program is due to end because of high operating costs. Redirected funds will help to develop rockets and spaceships that can fly beyond the station's 355-km-high orbit.<br /> </p>
