CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Discovery and seven astronauts rocketed into orbit this morning on one of NASA's final stockpiling missions to the International Space Station.

The liftoff, less than an hour before sunrise, helped clinch a record for the most women in space at the same time.

Three women are aboard Discovery, and another already is at the space station, making for an unprecedented foursome. The shuttle should arrive at the orbiting outpost Wednesday.

In a rare treat, the space station passed over the launch site 15 minutes before Discovery blasted off and was easily visible, resembling a big, brilliant star in the clear morning sky with the moon as a dramatic backdrop.

Discovery could be seen with the naked eye for seven minutes as it shot upward, adding to the show. And almost as an encore, the exhaust plumes fanned out in spirals across the sky, turning pale shades of rose, peach and gold in the glinting sunlight.

Only three shuttle missions remain after this one. NASA intends to retire its fleet by the end of September, but is unsure what will follow for human spaceflight.

President Barack Obama will visit the area April 15, while Discovery is still in orbit, to fill in some of the blanks.

By The Associated Press