Atlantis enters space for last time

William Atkins
Saturday, 15 May 2010 05:53

Science - Space

The space shuttle Atlantis has lifted off from the surface of Earth for its final trip into outer space. Its six-person crew is heading for the International Space Station to perform spacewalks and install components to the orbiting structure.

 

The mission lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center, off the eastern coast of Florida, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on Friday, May 14, 2010. The GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) for the launch was 1820. The sky was cloudless and spectators lined the beach and the causeway to view the magnificent liftoff of the shuttle.

The STS-132 mission by the NASA crew will deliver and install a Russian mini-Research Module, along with a set of batteries and a dish antenna.

This mission is the first of three remaining missions for the U.S. space shuttle program. Space shuttles Discovery and Endeavour will be propelled into space for these last two missions.

These final missions are bittersweet for NASA and contractor employees. Many employees have worked their entire professional lives helping to make the shuttle missions each successful. Their futures are in doubt when the program is finally retired later this year or early in 2011.

Mike Leinbach, who is NASA's shuttle launch director, and this STS-132 launch director gave permission for the STS-132 mission to launch into space.

Leinback commented to Ken Ham, the STS-132 commander. He stated, "On behalf of all the manufacturing, processing, flight and launch teams that have worked on Atlantis since March of 1980, I'd like to wish you all good luck, God speed; and have a little fun up there."

As the BBC News article 'Atlantis Launches On Final Voyage' states, Ham responded, "If you don't mind we'll take her out of the barn and make a few more laps around the planet."

For additional information, please read The Los Angeles Times article " Atlantis lifts off for last scheduled flight."