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Space Shuttle Makes Last Landing in Bittersweet Finale
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July 21, 2011: After 30 years of spaceflight, NASA's iconic space shuttles will fly no more.
The space agency's storied shuttle program ended today (July 21) when the shuttle Atlantis soared down from a predawn sky to a picture-perfect touchdown, ending a nearly flawless last mission and the shuttle era at the same time. Atlantis landed for the final time at 5:57 a.m. EDT (0957 GMT). The mood was electric, both sad and triumphant, as a vehicle that had been hurtling through space a little more than an hour earlier rolled to a graceful stop here at the Kennedy Space Center. "Mission complete, Houston," Atlantis' commander Chris Ferguson radioed to Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle found its place in history, and it's come to a final stop."
"We copy your wheels stop and we'll take this opportunity to congratulate you, Atlantis, as well as the thousands of passionate individuals across this great space faring nation who truly empowered this incredible spacecraft, which for three decades has inspired millions around the globe," capcom Barry "Butch" Wilmore said from Mission Control. "Job well done, America." It was the 33rd voyage for Atlantis, and the 135th for NASA's reusable winged spaceships. The 30-year space shuttle program, which began with the launch of Columbia on April 12, 1981, is at a close.
"The space shuttle changed the way we viewed the world, and it changed the way we view our universe," he said. "There's a lot of emotion today, but one thing is indisputable: America is not going to stop exploring. Thank you Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Endeavour, and our ship Atlantis. Thank you for protecting us and bringing this program to such a fitting end. God bless all of you. God bless the United States of America."
Ferguson led a veteran crew of four on this last mission, including pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim. They were the last of 355 spaceflyers to ride aboard the space shuttle over the years.
The astronauts launched July 8 on a 13-day trip to the International Space Station.
Image above: With space shuttle Atlantis in the background, the STS-135 astronauts are welcomed home from the final space shuttle mission. They are, from left, Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley and Commander Chris Ferguson. Image credit: NASA
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