Four Months Later

STS-135 Final Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, July 8, 2011

Happy launch-iversary @TheSuss @WhoFramedAbbie @therealdjflux @leslieberg & @derlum!

1972 Shuttle

1972 Shuttle Concept Study, photo by x-ray delta one

Yes the Shuttle technology was from the 1970s. But you know what? IT WORKED.

The Enterprise and her crew

Shuttle Enterprise, and the cast of Star Trek, circa 1976

In funky 70s clothes.

Shuttles

Space Shuttle Discovery, drawing by Danielle Signor

Well hello, my name is Danielle / And I like to do drawrrings

Final Fire

Space Shuttle Atlantis launching for the last time (STS-135)

Looking back at Atlantis.

Slow Pan

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Atlantis invites you to oggle her mechanical wonders.

The End

Space shuttle Atlantis makes one final landing - end of STS-135, end of the space shuttle program.

Even Grand Finales have endings.

Reflecting

Atlantis Reflection

A peaceful evening shot, pre-launch and post-deluge.

The Grand Finale

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I had the privilege of witnessing the last shuttle launch this morning – there really are no words, except to say that it was wonderful, and I saw it in the company of great friends.

Building Atlantis

Atlantis Gets Its Name

A blast from the early-80s shuttle-building past.