NASA Launches Space Shuttle on Historic Last Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The space shuttle Atlantis soared in to the heavens & the history books Friday (July 8), kicking off the last-ever mission of NASA’s storied shuttle program.
Despite a bleak forecast of thunderstorms & clouds, the shuttle beat the weather in a stunning midday launch, sailing in to the sky on final voyage. The coutndown toward liftoff took a dramatic pause at T minus 31 seconds while ground crews verified that a vent arm at the top of the shuttle was fully retracted. NASA was quickly able to push on toward liftoff.
Atlantis blasted off after 11:26 a.m. EDT (1526 GMT) from Launch Pad 39A here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Middle, thrilling massive throngs of spectators who had descended on Florida’s Space Coast to see the swan song of an American icon. NASA estimated that between 750,000 & one million people turned out to watch history unfold before their eyes.
“On behalf of the greatest team in the world, nice luck to you & your crew on the final flight of this true American icon,” shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach told the astronauts before launch. “And so for the final time, Fergie, Doug, Sandy & Rex, nice luck, Godspeed & have a small fun up there.”
“Thanks to you & your team, Mike. We are not ending the journey today, we are finishing a chapter of a journey that will seldom finish,” Atlantis’ commander Chris Ferguson replied. “Let’s light this shuttle more time Mike & witness this nation at its best. The crew of Atlantis is prepared to launch.”
