Final launch of space shuttle Atlantis
The final launch of space shuttle Atlantis went successfully in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
Section:Picture story
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.
NASA, Bill Ingalls Associated Press
Onlookers fill a waterfront dock while waiting for the space the shuttle Atlantis launch in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
Gerry Broome Associated Press
The space shuttle Atlantis astronauts left to right, pilot Doug Hurley, mission specialist Sandra Mangus, commander Chris Ferguson and missions specialist Rex Walheim, leave the operations and check out building on their way to the pad at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
John Raoux Associated Press
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.
Terry Renna Associated Press
The space shuttle Atlantis astronauts left to right, mission specialists Rex Walheim, Sandy Magnus, pilot Doug Hurley and commander Chris Ferguson, leave the operations and check-out building on the way to the pad at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA.
Terry Renna Associated Press
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.
John Raoux Associated Press
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.
John Raoux Associated Press
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.
John Raoux Associated Press
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.
Chris O’Meara Associated Press
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.
John Raoux Associated Press
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.
Terry Renna Associated Press
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.
Denis Paquin Associated Press
Spectators cheer as space shuttle Atlantis lifts off Friday, July 8, 2011, in Titusville, Fla. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
David J. Phillip Associated Press
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.
Terry Renna Associated Press
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.
Chris O’Meara Associated Press
Photographers take pictures of the space shuttle Atlantis lifting 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.
Chris O’Meara Associated Press
The Howard family from Huddersfield, England, walk along the Max Brewer Bridge before space shuttle Atlantis lifts off Friday, July 8, 2011, in Titusville, Fla. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
David J. Phillip Associated Press
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.
Morry Gash Associated Press
Thousands gather in the surf and on the beach in Cocoa Beach, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011 to watch the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on STS-135. The space shuttle Atlantis is the final shuttle mission before the fleet is retired.
Dave Martin Associated Press
In this photo provided by NASA, space shuttle Atlantis is seen through the window of a Shuttle Training Aircraft as it 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.
NASA, Dick Clark Associated Press
Spectators watch the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
Gerry Broome Associated Press
Spectators watch the smoke trail from the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
Gerry Broome Associated Press
An aerial view of the space shuttle Atlantis as it roars into space over Cape Canaveral Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
Reinhold Matay Associated Press
Ron Stillman, left, and Tara Reece of Cocoa Beach, Fla., watch from their sufboards as the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on STS-135 in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. The space shuttle Atlantis is the final shuttle mission before the fleet is retired.
Dave Martin Associated Press
An aerial view of the space shuttle Atlantis as it roars into space over Cape Canaveral Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era.
Reinhold Matay Associated Press