The space shuttle Endeavour STS-130 lifts off from Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida yesterday. Photo: AFP

Endeavour and six astronauts rocketed into orbit Monday on what's expected to be the last nighttime launch for the shuttle programme, hauling a new room and observation deck for the International Space Station.

The space shuttle took flight before dawn, igniting the sky with a brilliant flash seen for miles around. The weather cooperated at the last minute; Sunday morning's try was thwarted by thick, low clouds that returned and almost caused another delay.

"Looks like the weather came together tonight," launch director Mike Leinbach told the astronauts right before liftoff. "It's time to go fly."