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Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-135 — the end of the shuttle program

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to take off Friday and is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.

Photo by John Raoux

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to take off Friday and is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.

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  • CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA crewmembers finish up their work on the space shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad in the rain at Kennedy Space Center for mission STS-135 scheduled for a Friday morning liftoff at 11:26 a.m. STS-135, the final launch for the shuttle program, delivers the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with supplies and spare parts during it's 12-day mission to the International Space Station.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - Astronauts (from left) Sandra Magnus, Mission Specialist-1; Rex Walheim Mission Specialist-2; Col. Doug Hurley, pilot and Commander Capt. Chris Ferguson walk out to the NASA van to board Space Shuttle Atlantis for Friday's launch of STS-135 for the International Space Station.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - Astronauts (from left) Sandra Magnus, Mission Specialist-1; Rex Walheim Mission Specialist-2; Col. Doug Hurley, pilot and Commander Capt. Chris Ferguson walk out to the NASA van to board Space Shuttle Atlantis for Friday's launch of STS-135 for the International Space Station.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - A banner signed by support staff is seen near the astronaut transport van as the crew heads toward the launch pad.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - A banner signed by support staff is seen near the astronaut transport van as the crew heads toward the launch pad.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis rests on the launch pad before dawn Friday morning while satelite trucks stand ready to broadcast the launch.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis rests on the launch pad before Dawn Friday Morning before the count-down clock resumes.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - Astronauts (from left) Rex Walheim Mission Specialist-2; Sandra Magnus, Mission Specialist-1; Col. Doug Hurley, pilot and Commander Capt. Chris Ferguson walk out to the NASA van to board Space Shuttle Atlantis for Friday's launch of STS-135 for the International Space Station.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Vehicle Assembly Building, known as the VAB, lit up before dawn on Friday.
  • The space shuttle Atlantis is seen on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to take off Friday and is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • In this image provided by NASA, the space shuttle Atlantis is seen shortly after the rotating service structure (RSS) was rolled back at launch pad 39a, Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is set to liftoff Friday on the final flight of the shuttle program, STS-135, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. NASA decided to start the fueling operations early Friday morning.
  • Atlantis astronauts, from left, mission specialist Sandra Magnus, pilot Doug Hurley, commander Chris Ferguson and mission specialist Rex Walhelm leave the operations and check up building enroute to the pad for at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • People sleep on the beach in Cocoa Beach on Friday, July 8, 2011. Thousands headed to the Florida coast Friday morning, anxious for a good spot to view the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis.
  • Grayson Morgan, 7, from North Carolina, reads while waiting for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • People sleep under a pier early in the morning in Cocoa Beach on Friday, July 8, 2011. The early arrivers were anxious for a good spot to view the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis.
  • Atlantis commander Chris Ferguson, right, applauds with pilot Doug Hurley before leaving the operations and check up building enroute to the pad for at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • Onlookers wait on a waterfront dock for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • Rain storms in the area of pad 39a Thursday night July 7, 2011 forms puddles as the Space Shuttle Atlantis gets ready for its final launch Friday afternoon from the Kennedy Space Center. Atlantis is set to liftoff Friday on the final flight of the shuttle program, STS-135, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. NASA decided to start the fueling operations early Friday morning.
  • The Howard family from Huddersfield, England, walk along the Max Brewer Bridge before the launch of space shuttle Atlantis Friday, July 8, 2011, in Titusville, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to liftoff Friday on the final space shuttle mission. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Launch Pad 39A on it's way to the International Space Station on mission STS135 for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.
  • Winter Park, Fla. Artist, Larry Moore paints the scene at he Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Robert Ray)
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Launch Pad 39A on it's way to the International Space Station on mission STS135 for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Launch Pad 39A on it's way to the International Space Station on mission STS135 for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.
  • The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • Spectators watch the space shuttle Atlantis lift off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • Bill Crantrell gives a thumbs up as the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. The STS135 mission, the final shuttle flight, will bring supplies to the international space station.
  • The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Launch Pad 39A on it's way to the International Space Station on mission STS135 for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.
  • Former Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford reacts after the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
  • Sarah Paschall, of Jacksonville, Fla., looks out from her tent as she waits for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis Friday, July 8, 2011, in Titusville, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to liftoff Friday on the final space shuttle mission.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Launch Pad 39A on it's way to the International Space Station on mission STS135 for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.
  • CAPE CANAVERAL - The Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Launch Pad 39A on it's way to the International Space Station on mission STS135 for the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.
  • Boomer, a 15-year-old terrier mix, stands on the roof of his owners car on the east side of the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge about an hour before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Livingston, Texas residents Bob Hans, left of center, looks up in the sky as he and a crowd ready their cameras for the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Crowds get ready with their cameras and binoculars on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge minutes before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Julie Grace, left, from Fort White, Fla. and Haylie Pechonis, 10, bottom left, play with Jane, a 2-year-old beagle, as they wait on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge for the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • David Dungey, from Hackensack, NJ, lifts his daughter Sydney Dungey, 4, on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge before launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • A crowd gathers to watch as a bomb squad tries to identify a package found hear the port-o-potties on the east side of the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge hours before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Larry Adams, right, from Claremore, Okla., and his brother Mike Adams, from Tampa, try to identify a helicopter in the sky before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Katie Pazamickas, 24, catches up on sleep on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge a couple hours before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. Pazamickas left work in Maryland at 4 p.m. Thursday to arrive in Titusville for the launch at 5:30 a.m. Friday. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Jaylan Evans, 13, from Greensboro, N.C., takes photos the morning of the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Gabriella Goodman, 6, left, and Lillie Compton, 5, of Kentucky, play ring around the rosie in the middle of A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge a couple hours before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from the morning of the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from the morning of the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Chicago residents friend Julie Grena, right, sheds tears as she and her friend Dana Mavros, center, cheer with thousands of others on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge during the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. 'I always wanted to be an astronaut,' said Grena. 'But, I'm just a pilot.' The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Chicago residents Dana Mavros, bottom center, and her friend Julie Grena hug as with thousands of others cheer on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge during the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. 'I always wanted to be an astronaut,' said Grena. 'But, I'm just a pilot.' The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Chicago residents Dana Mavros, bottom center, and her friend Julie Grena cheer with thousands of others on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge during the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. 'I always wanted to be an astronaut,' said Grena. 'But, I'm just a pilot.' The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Spectators flock to the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge to watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • The Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Thousands of people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Chicago residents friend Julie Grena, right, sheds tears as she and her friend Dana Mavros, center, cheer with thousands of others on the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge during the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. 'I always wanted to be an astronaut,' said Grena. 'But, I'm just a pilot.' The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Spectators flock to the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge to watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Members of a bomb squad investigate a suspicious package just east of the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge before the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on Friday in Titusville, Fla. The launch of Atlantis is the final space shuttle mission: STS-135 and carries a crew of four with the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module and spare parts for the space station. Lexey Swall/Staff

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