Nasa has launched the US shuttle Discovery for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with seven astronauts on board, BBC reported.
It lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2359 EDT Friday (0359 GMT Saturday).
Two previous attempts to launch the orbiter had been postponed by a mix of bad weather and a technical glitch affecting its main propulsion system.
Discovery's mission will be the 30th flight dedicated to ISS maintenance.
Science equipment and a freezer to store research samples are among the items on board.
It also carries a new sleeping compartment, an air purification system and a treadmill to help maintain astronauts' health.
The shuttle entered orbit eight-and-a-half minutes after launch, and is due to arrive at the ISS on Sunday night.