Space shuttle blasts into night sky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour and a crew of seven are blasting into the night sky, bound for the international space station.

The shuttle rose off its launch pad Friday a little before 7 p.m. The brilliant flash of light was visible for miles around.

Endeavour's astronauts will double as kitchen and bathroom installers on the mission, undertaking the most extreme home makeover ever attempted in orbit once they reach the space station Sunday. The shuttle is loaded with thousands of pounds of space station equipment. The home improvements are needed so NASA can double the size of the space station crew next year.

Endeavour and its astronauts will spend 15 days in orbit, including Thanksgiving. The shuttle holds enough turkey dinners for everyone.