Space shuttle Discovery has blasted off with seven astronauts on board. It's one of NASA's final servicing missions to the International Space Station.

The shuttle lifted off at 6:21 A.M., local time, on Monday, shattering the pre-dawn calm around the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The shuttle is carrying an Italian-built cargo hauler filled with equipment, experimental equipment, food, and supplies for the space station.

The ISS is expected to be finished in September, after 12 years of construction about 355 kilometers above Earth.

The US plans to stop flying its trio of space shuttles, after three more missions to stock the outpost with spare parts and gear too big to fit on other spaceships.

The shuttles, which can carry about 50 tons to the station's orbit, are being retired due to cost and safety concerns.