last flight of Atlantis

The Space Shuttle's final flight appears to be a go today; news agencies are covering the last flight of Atlantis and a lot of people are on the viewing area of Launch Complex 39. The hype for this particular launch is also being fueled via the Internet by the live feeds from NASA and the blurbs in Twitter.

Inside Atlantis are Christopher Ferguson (Commander), Doug Hurley (Pilot), Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim (Mission Specialists); they are the last people to go up in space via the Space Shuttle. They are headed to the International Space Station to deliver supplies. I wonder what's it like to be in their spot; it must be very exciting!

Despite the excitement and the optimism surrounding this mission, a lot of people are also saddened. After all, this is the beginning of the end of the Space Shuttle Program. For me, this day marks the end of my dream of becoming an astronaut... at least in the Space Shuttle, the program that has been ongoing since 1981.  

This is the closest I got to becoming an astronaut.
Kennedy Space Centre, September 2005

What a historic day. And I'm actually watching the launch live!! 

Ten. 

Nine. 

Eight. 

Seven. 

Six. 

Five. 

Four. 

Three. 

Two. 

One.

We have lift-off!

More information about STS-135, the last mission of Atlantis, can be found in

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