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The last space shuttle to land at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. was the Return to Flight mission, STS-114 on Aug. 9, 2005.
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| Mission: Space Station Assembly Building - 13A
Primary Payload: S3/S4 Truss
Space Shuttle: Atlantis
Launch Pad: 39A
Launched: June 8, 2007 - 7:38:04 p.m. EDT
Landed: June 22, 2007 - 3:49 p.m. EDT
Mission Duration: 13 days, 20 hours, 12 minutes and 44 seconds
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
STS-117: Building on Experience
Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off on mission STS-117 after a perfect countdown June 8, 2007, marking the first launch from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in more than four years.
 During the 14-day mission, the astronauts conducted a total of four spacewalks to install and activate the S3/S4 truss segment, retract the P6 solar array and repair an out-of-position thermal blanket on the left orbital maneuvering system pod.
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The crew spent an extra day in space after the first two landing attempts on June 21 were foiled by Florida's stormy weather over Kennedy Space Center.
Image above: In a blaze of billowing smoke, Atlantis soars into a dusky Florida sky on a mission to expand the capabilities of the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley. Image below: Atlantis touched down on a bright, sunny day on the desert runway at Edwards Air Force Base. Photo credit NASA/Tom Tschida
 Atlantis made a safe and smooth landing on Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 22.
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Mission Specialist Clayton Anderson replaced Sunita Williams as space station flight engineer. She returned to Earth on Atlantis' flight home.
Although this was her first time in space, Williams not only broke the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman, she also became the record-holder for most hours outside a spacecraft by a female, completing four spacewalks during Expedition 14.
After a 5.8 million mile expedition, Atlantis made the final leg of its journey back to Kennedy piggy-backed on top of NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, one of two modified 747 jetliners on the ferry-flight from Edwards.
Image left: Atlantis lands at Kennedy after a three-day journey from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley
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The carrier aircraft gently touched down at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility at 8:27 a.m. EDT, July 3, 2007 successfully concluding mission STS-117.
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| Experience Gets the Job Done
STS-117 crew members complete a demanding and successful mission in space, expanding the International Space Station's capabilities.
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| Technicians Ready Test for Shuttle Thermal Blanket
Kennedy Space Center workers assembled thermal protection system pieces for tests.
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| Sharp Group Devises Tank Sander
Lockheed Martin engineers and designers invented a tool to sand foam on the external tank while the tank was still in its launch position.
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| Countdown Dress Rehearsal
The STS-117 crew visited Kennedy Space Center for the terminal countdown demonstration test.
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| Jamestown Artifact to Fly on Shuttle
A small piece of American history will journey into space aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-117 mission.
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| STS-117: Just Do It -- Again
When Atlantis heads for the International Space Station in June, its mission may sound a little familiar.
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| Next Crew Checks Shuttle and Payload
Astronauts get ready for first shuttle mission of 2007.
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Liftoff of Atlantis!
After a smooth countdown, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins the STS-117 mission with a spectacular climb toward orbit.
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STS-117: Atlantis' Mission in Photos
Relive the journey to the International Space Station with the mission's best images.
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Atlantis Returns to Launch Pad
Space Shuttle Atlantis made its second journey to the launch pad in preparation for STS-117.
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Florida Storm Affects External Tank
A thunderstorm with hail rained down on Atlantis at Launch Pad 39A.
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Final Training for STS-117 Mission
The six Atlantis astronauts have completed a full launch dress rehearsal at Kennedy.
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Space Shuttles Call Kennedy Space Center Home
From landing until the next launch, the space shuttle fleet is in good hands.
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Suiting Up for Space
Before the spacesuits get packed for flight, they must be carefully prepared on Earth.
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How Things Work
In this section we'll showcase the creativity and dedication that allow the challenges of space flight to become some of our greatest achievements.
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