Space Shuttle Columbia launch

The U.S. space shuttle Columbia has lifted off from Cape Canaveral in the southern State of Florida, on an 11-day mission to renovate the Hubble Space Telescope and extend its view deeper into the cosmos. Weather conditions were favorable for Friday's launch, which occurred amid tight security.

The seven astronauts on board are expected to conduct a record-tying five spacewalks to install new equipment on the telescope. The parts include stronger solar wings, a more robust power-control unit and a more reliable steering mechanism.

However, their main job is to install an advanced camera that will boost Hubble's visual power 10 times, letting it detect fainter light arriving from further in the past.

Astronomers hope to see the first light of star formation believed to have occurred within one-billion years of the birth of the universe. NASA considers this the most complicated Hubble servicing mission yet because of the heavy workload.

This is the fourth visit to the Hubble telescope. One more servicing mission is scheduled in two years.

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