WASHINGTON - The Space Shuttle Discovery rocketed into orbit Tuesday, the first shuttle launch in nearly a year and the first-ever on America’s Independence Day holiday.After two cancellations due to poor weather conditions, Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida under mostly-sunny skies for a 12-day mission.

Headed by Commander Steven Lindsay, Discovery’s seven-member crew, will visit the International Space Station to deliver supplies and equipment, and to evaluate safety procedures. At least two spacewalks are planned. One crewmember, Mission Specialist Thomas Reiter of Germany, will remain on the space station for a six-month stint.

The launch proceeded despite concerns stemming from a small crack that was discovered in the foam insulating Discovery’s mammoth external fuel tank.

It was a chunk of foam that broke off of the Space Shuttle Columbia during a 2003 lift-off that was blamed for the orbiter breaking up upon reentry to the earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crewmembers.

Prior to the launch, NASA officials said the foam crack was meticulously inspected, and they did not believe it posed a danger.

This is Discovery’s 32nd mission, the 115th overall for the space shuttle program, and the second since the Columbia disaster. The shuttle fleet is scheduled to be retired in 2010.