When was the Atlantis space shuttle last launch?

Atlantis: Saying Goodbye to a Space Legend

The Space Shuttle Atlantis. Just the name conjures up images of daring missions and the boundless possibilities of space. But Atlantis isn’t just another spacecraft; it’s a symbol of the end of an era. I remember watching its final launch, a mix of excitement and a little bit of sadness washing over me. That last mission, STS-135, lifted off on July 8, 2011, at 11:29 a.m. EDT. It wasn’t just Atlantis’s last hurrah; it was the very last mission, number 135, of the entire Space Shuttle program. Can you believe it? The end of a thirty-year run!

So, what was the point of this final journey? Simple: to give the International Space Station (ISS) a much-needed boost. Atlantis carried the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello, basically a giant moving van, crammed with over 9,400 pounds of essential supplies. Think spare parts, vital equipment, and enough food to keep the ISS crew going for a whole year! Plus, it brought back nearly 5,700 pounds of stuff the station didn’t need anymore. Talk about a space-age delivery service! The crew, led by Commander Chris Ferguson, along with Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, were the ultimate space truckers on this crucial resupply run.

Here’s a fun fact: STS-135 almost didn’t happen at all! It was initially planned as a backup, a “just in case” kind of flight. NASA didn’t officially give it the green light until January 2011, a mere six months before launch. Imagine the scramble! That last-minute approval added even more weight to the mission’s historical significance.

The launch itself was something else. Around a million people flocked to the Kennedy Space Center, all wanting to witness Atlantis’s final climb. As the shuttle roared to life, the launch commentator’s words still ring in my ears: “All three engines up and burning, two, one, zero and liftoff! The final liftoff of Atlantis – on the shoulders of the space shuttle, America will continue the dream.” Goosebumps, I tell you!

Atlantis spent almost two weeks in space, circling our planet 4,848 times and racking up around 126 million miles. Finally, on July 21, 2011, at 5:57 a.m. EDT, it touched down safely at the Kennedy Space Center. It was the 20th night landing at KSC, and the 26th night landing in the Space Shuttle Program’s history. A perfect ending to a remarkable journey.

The retirement of Atlantis and the entire Space Shuttle Program? It was a turning point. The end of one chapter, sure, but also the start of something new. New partnerships, new technologies, and a renewed push to explore the universe. And if you ever find yourself at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, make sure to visit Atlantis. It’s a powerful reminder of what we’ve achieved and a source of inspiration for what’s to come. It’s a piece of history, and a symbol of our enduring dreams of reaching for the stars.