Atlantis closes the book on the Space Shuttle Program.
Space Shuttle Atlantis completed its 33rd and final mission landing on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility on the morning of Thursday, July 21, 2011.
Use of music to awaken astronauts on space missions dates back at least to the Apollo Program, when astronauts returning from the moon were serenaded by their colleagues in mission control with lyrics from popular songs that seemed appropriate for the occasion.
This 360-degree virtual reality image shows NASA's Mission Control Center during farewell ceremonies as the STS-135 crew of Atlantis prepared to leave the International Space Station and begin preparations for the final space shuttle landing.
› View This VideoThe 110th bouquet of roses arrived in Mission Control on Saturday, July 9, 2011. They were sent as quietly as they have been for more than 23 years by a family near Dallas, Texas.
Find educational resources and information on NASA's STS-135 mission and crew.
It began as a dream and has captivated students for 30 years.
View photos and videos from the STS-135 mission of Atlantis, the final flight of NASA's space shuttle.