Space Shuttle Endeavor's Final Launch

CAPE CANAVERAL -- Space shuttle Endeavour blasted to space – at last – on its final mission Monday, carrying a long-grounded $2-billion astrophysics device and a little bit of the hearts of thousands of space shuttle workers.

Endeavour's launch was watched by perhaps a half-million people crowding the Brevard County coastline, seeking a chance to witness what should be the next-to-last launch in the 30-year history of the shuttle program.