Space shuttle Atlantis is seen as it lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A at 11:29 a.m. EDT. The launch of Atlantis on the STS-135 mission, is the final flight of the Shuttle Program. *Photo by NASA/Bill Ingalls July 8, 2011
On Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 3:22 p.m. the first successful manned launch venture between SpaceX and NASA took place. The Falcon9 successfully launched into orbiting the earth to eventually dock with the international space station on Sunday morning.
On Friday, July 8, 2011 Space Shuttle Atlantis flew her final mission, and was the last flight of the space shuttle fleet. On that day, all involved with the space program knew it would be the last manned American spacecraft to launch on home soil. 10 years ago – tears of sadness; 10 years later – tears of gladness. Congratulations to NASA, SpaceX and Elon Musk
C.M. & K.M.
NASA uses SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch US astronauts into space from US soil for the first time in nearly 9 years, since the last space shuttle mission. *AP
US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken have docked with, and entered, the International Space Station (ISS) *NASA
The STS-135 crew members pause for a final photograph in front of space shuttle Atlantis. From left are: Commander Chris Ferguson, Mission Specialist Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialist Rex Walheim Photo by NASA/Kim Shiflett
Astronauts Bob Behnken (L) and Doug Hurley (R)*NASA
