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STS-135 Launch Spectators on the A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, Florida
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
After 30 years and 135 missions, residents and visitors to Florida's Space Coast crowd the new A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time on July 8, 2011.
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Guests Line NASA Causeway for Atlantis Launch
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
After 30 years and 135 missions, invited guests congregate along the NASA Causeway to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time, on July 8, 2011
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Spectators in Boats View the Atlantis Launch
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
After 30 years and 135 missions, residents and visitors to Florida's Space Coast traverse the waters near Port Canaveral to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time, July 8, 2011.
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Atlantis Lifts Off
Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com
Shuttle Atlantis is seen a few moments into its final flight on July 8, 2011.
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Last Shuttle Crew Waves Farewell
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Dressed in their bright-orange launch-and-entry suits, the final four astronauts to launch aboard a space shuttle wave to media and employees cheering them on in front of the Astronaut Crew Quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 8, 2011. From left, are STS-135 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Commander Chris Ferguson.
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A View from Above
Credit: NASA Kennedy (via Twitter)
The space shuttle Atlantis' last launch on July 8, 2011 is seen from above through the window of a Shuttle Training Aircraft.
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Close-up of Atlantis' Launch
Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com
Atlantis just clears the tower in this closer view of the launch on July 8, 2011.
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Shuttle Atlantis Launches on Mission STS-135
Credit: NASA
Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-135 July 8, 2011.
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Atlantis Clears the Tower
Credit: NASA TV
Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower, July 8, 2011.
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Elmo Talks with NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino
Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers
NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, left, and Sesame Street's Elmo speak at the STS-135 Tweetup on July 7, 2011 at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Elmo asked the astronauts questions about living and working in space.
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Don't Burn that Flag!
Credit: NASA Kennedy (via Twitter)
Atlantis appears to fly past flags at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on July 8, 2011.
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Watching Atlantis Launch
Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com
Spectators in the foreground watch as Atlantis launches on its final flight, July 8, 2011.
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Heads-down, That's How Atlantis Rolls
Credit: NASA TV
Shuttle Atlantis rolls into the heads-down position after launch, July 8, 2011.
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Atlantis Smokin'
Credit: NASA TV
Shuttle Atlantis climbs to space on a column of smoke, July 8, 2011.
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Atlantis Flies into Clouds
Credit: NASA (via Facebook)
With the International Space Station flying 220 miles high & east of Christchurch, New Zealand, space shuttle Atlantis launched at 11:29 a.m. EDT, July 8, 2011.
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Atlantis' External Tank Camera's View of Launch
Credit: NASA TV
The camera mounted on Atlantis' external tank shows a unique view looking back towards the ground as Atlantis launches.
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Close-out Crews Shares Message Before Last Launch
Credit: NASA TV
A member of the shuttle Atlantis' close-out crew shares a message before the shuttle's last launch.
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Atlantis' Solid Rocket Boosters Separate
Credit: NASA TV
One of Atlantis' solid rocket boosters can be seen at lower left falling back to Earth, July 8, 2011.
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Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad
The space shuttle Atlantis stands poised for its final liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A
Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
Space shuttle Atlantis is revealed at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A following retraction of the pad's Rotating Service Structure on July 7.
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Bright Lights, Last Space Shuttle
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its bright-orange external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters, is bathed in xenon lights and takes center stage on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in this aerial image taken from a NASA helicopter in the predawn hours just before launch on July 8, 2011.
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Lightning Strikes Near Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad
Credit: NASA
A pair of lightning strikes occurred near the space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on July 7. The first struck the water tower 515 feet from the pad and the second struck the beach area northeast of the pad. Early data indicate no issues with the shuttle or its systems. Credit: NASA
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Clouds Over Shuttle Atlantis
Credit: NASA
Threatening clouds hover over the shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on July 7.
