resultSimple

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The exhaust plume from space shuttle Atlantis is seen through the window of a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) as it launches from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on the STS-135 mission, Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis launched on the final flight of the shuttle program on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. The STS-135 crew will deliver the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module containing supplies and spare parts for the space station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Dick Clark) (KEYSTONE/XINHUA/NASA/Dick Clark)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

After some last-minute suspense over the weather and a piece of launch-pad equipment, Atlantis and its four astronauts blasted off practically on schedule at 11:29 a.m., Friday July 8, 2011 pierced a shroud of clouds and settled flawlessly into orbit in front of a crowd estimated at close to 1 million, the size of the throng that watched Apollo 11 shoot the moon in 1969. (AP Photo/Robert Ray)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Spectators watch the space shuttle Atlantis lift off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02815349 Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02815342 Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02815335 Shuttle Atlantis viewed lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three others that are flying shuttle Atlantis on its final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02815334 Shuttle Atlantis viewed lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three others that are flying shuttle Atlantis on its final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02815146 Shuttle Atlantis viewed from remote site 3 as it lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/JUSTIN DERNIER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Tim Donnelly)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Spectators watch the smoke trail from the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis in Titusville, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814980 Shuttle Atlantis viewed for the roof of the fire tower lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/JUSTIN DERNIER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814968 Members of the media photograph space shuttle Atlantis viewed from the roof of the vehicle assembly building (VAB) lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

An aerial view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as it roars into space over Cape Canaveral Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Thousands gather in the surf and on the beach in Cocoa Beach, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011 to watch the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on STS-135. The space shuttle Atlantis is the final shuttle mission before the fleet is retired. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814990 Shuttle Atlantis viewed for the roof of the fire tower lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/JUSTIN DERNIER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Ron Stillman, left, and Tara Reece of Cocoa Beach, Fla., watch from their sufboards as the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on STS-135 in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. The space shuttle Atlantis is the final shuttle mission before the fleet is retired. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Marshall Space Flight Center employee Thurmon Allen flies his shuttle kite on Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. The space shuttle Atlantis is the final shuttle mission before the fleet is retired. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

An aerial view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as it roars into space over Cape Canaveral Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814928 Shuttle Atlantis viewed from Banana Creek lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three others that are flying shuttle Atlantis on its final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY KEMPER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814926 Spectators watch and celebrate the lift off of Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Atlantis crew members Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist Rex Walheim, and Sandra Magnus left on launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be the last Space Shuttle to launch in the NASA Space Shuttle Program to the International Space Station and will be on a twelve day mission. EPA/SHAWN THEW

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814924 Shuttle Atlantis viewed for the roof of the vehicle assembly building (VAB) lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

An aerial view of the space shuttle Atlantis as it roars into space over Cape Canaveral Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. Four astronauts are taking space shuttle Atlantis for one last ride, the very last one of the 30-year space shuttle era. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814921 Shuttle Atlantis viewed for the roof of the vehicle assembly building (VAB) lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

An aerial view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as it roars into space over Cape Canaveral Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Thousands gather in the surf and on the beach in Cocoa Beach,Fla., on Friday, July 8, 2011 to watch the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on STS-135. The space shuttle Atlantis mission is the final shuttle mission before the fleet is retired. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814874 Shuttle Atlantis viewed from Banana Creek lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three others that are flying shuttle Atlantis on its final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY KEMPER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814892 Shuttle Atlantis viewed for the roof of the vehicle assembly building (VAB) lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814847 Spectators watch the lift off of Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Atlantis crew members Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist Rex Walheim, and Sandra Magnus left on launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be the last Space Shuttle to launch in the NASA Space Shuttle Program to the International Space Station and will be on a twelve day mission. EPA/SHAWN THEW

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814844 A spectator stretches while waiting for the lift off of Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Atlantis crew members Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist Rex Walheim, and Sandra Magnus left on launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be the last Space Shuttle to launch in the NASA Space Shuttle Program to the International Space Station and will be on a twelve day mission. EPA/SHAWN THEW

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814843 Shuttle Atlantis viewed for the roof of the vehicle assembly building (VAB) lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three that are flying shuttle Atlantis on it's final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814834 Shuttle Atlantis viewed from Banana Creek lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three others that are flying shuttle Atlantis on its final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY KEMPER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814827 Shuttle Atlantis viewed from Banana Creek lifts off from Launch Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA 08 July 2011. Commander Chris Ferguson is commanding a crew of three others that are flying shuttle Atlantis on its final mission and the final mission of the space shuttle program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced. The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. EPA/GARY KEMPER

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Photographers take pictures of the space shuttle Atlantis lifting off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. The STS135 mission, the final shuttle flight, will bring supplies to the international space station. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Bill Crantrell gives a thumbs up as the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, July 8, 2011. The STS135 mission, the final shuttle flight, will bring supplies to the international space station. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Tim Donnelly)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814409 The crew for Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 departs the Operations & Checkout Building (O&C) at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Atlantis crew members pointing to well wishers are (R-L) Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim, head to shuttle Atlantis on launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be the last Space Shuttle to launch in the NASA Space Shuttle Program to the International Space Station and will be on a twelve day mission. EPA/GARY I ROTHSTEIN

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814391 The crew for Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 departs the Operations & Checkout Building (O&C) at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Atlantis crew members (R-L) Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Rex Walheim and Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus head to shuttle Atlantis on launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be the last Space Shuttle to launch in the NASA Space Shuttle Program to the International Space Station and will be on a twelve day mission. EPA/SHAWN THEW

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

epa02814390 The crew for Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 departs the Operations & Checkout Building (O&C) at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 08 July 2011. Atlantis crew members (R-L) Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim head to shuttle Atlantis on launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be the last Space Shuttle to launch in the NASA Space Shuttle Program to the International Space Station and will be on a twelve day mission. EPA/SHAWN THEW

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

People sleep on the beach in Cocoa Beach on Friday, July 8, 2011. Thousands headed to the Florida coast Friday morning, anxious for a good spot to view the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Jim Block, from Ohio, looks through his camera at space shuttle Atlantis as it sits on the launch pad Friday, July 8, 2011, in Titusville, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to liftoff Friday on the final space shuttle mission. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

People sleep under a pier early in the morning in Cocoa Beach on Friday, July 8, 2011. The early arrivers were anxious for a good spot to view the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

USA RAUMFAHRT SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

The space shuttle Atlantis astronauts left to right, mission specialists Rex Walheim, Sandy Magnus, pilot Doug Hurley and commander Chris Ferguson, leave the operations and check-out building on the way to the pad at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)