Final NASA space shuttle launch date set

William Atkins
Wednesday, 29 June 2011 22:35

Science - Space

The U.S. space agency NASA has officially set the launch date for the final space shuttle mission, STS-135, by the space shuttle Atlantis: The end of an era, but hopefully also the start of a new one.

The NASA Flight Readiness Review (FRR), a meeting of top NASA and contractor officials, has concluded that the space shuttle Atlantis is ready for its final flight into space, and for the final mission of the Space Transportation System (STS) - what is commonly called the space shuttle program.

The date July 8, 2011 has been set as the official launch date for the STS-135 mission

The launch time of 11:26:46 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) was also declared by the FRR members on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, after they assessed the risks associated with the mission.

Their determination was that the shuttle, its equipment, personnel, and support systems are ready to be launched into space for their 12-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The STS-135 mission will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module. It is filled with supplies and spare parts for members of the International Space Station.

Atlantis will also deliver the experiment called Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM). It will demonstrate and test the ability to robotically refuel satellites in space.

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