NASA’s final four shuttle astronauts boarded Atlantis for liftoff today on the last flight of the 30-year program, even as potential rainstorms threatened to delay the launch. Forecasters stuck to their original 70 percent chance of bad weather, as the veteran crew climbed aboard the spacecraft. NASA was hopeful. “We do have a shot at this today,” launch director Mike Leinbach assured his team. Commander Christopher Ferguson gave a thumbs up as he was strapped in after sunrise despite the still-iffy launch prospects. On his way to the spacecraft, Ferguson had jokingly beckoned for more applause, clapping his hands at one point. The astronauts posed for pictures before boarding/Associated Press. More here. (AP photo: The space shuttle Atlantis astronauts leave the operations and check out building on their way to the pad at the Kennedy Space Center this morning.)

Question: Do you agree with the decision to end the shuttle program?