The space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to be decommissioned after completing mission STS-132. The shuttle launched on May 14, 2010 and landed on May 26, 2010. These NASA photos show images of its last mission, from preparations to launch to in-flight to landing.
Photo credit: NASA.
In this photo, the Atlantis crew members are wearing their training flight suits. Pictured clockwise from bottom are Commander Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman and Michael Good, Pilot Tony Antonelli, and Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Steve Bowen.
Photo credit: NASA/JSC.
The Pegasus barge carried the shuttle’s ET-136 primary fuel tank from the assembly center near New Orleans to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston .
A closer shot of the shuttle’s ET-136 fuel tank. Workers inspected the tank before it was brought into the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder.
Atlantis is being lowered onto its fuel tank, ET-136, and rocket boosters.
Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston.
Atlantis is being transported from the Orbiter Processing Facility-1 to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller.
This is an early morning shot on Sunday, May 14, 2010 of Atlantis at launch pad 39A.
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller.
At the launch pad, Atlantis is pictured with the sun glistening through the braces that attach the fuel tank and rocket boosters.
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller.
Atlantis embarks upon its 32nd space flight in a typical, but still remarkable, takeoff.
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller.
Atlantis soars through clear, blue Florida afternoon skies.
Photo credit: NASA/Kenny Allen.
Throngs of adults and children gather for every space shuttle launch. STS-132 is no exception.
Photo credit: NASA/Ben Cooper.
As Atlantis neared orbit, it dropped its fuel tank into the Atlantic Ocean. This shot was taken by an Atlantis crew member.
Photo credit: NASA.
The Liberty Star is tasked with the retrieval of the rocket boosters. The boosters will be processed and stored in a facility in Utah in case they are needed again.
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller.
Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman is replacing the International Space Station’s batteries, which was one of the reasons for STS-132. To see related images, check out these Hubble Telescope photos.
Photo credit: NASA.
A photo of astronaut Expedition 23 Flight Engineer Tracy Caldwell Dyson inside the cupola, which was installed by the Endeavour crew in February 2010.
Photo credit: NASA.
Besides performing their scientific and maintenance duties, astronauts are required to maintain their strength and muscle tone while in zero-g. Expedition 23 Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer is using the advanced Resistive Exercise Device.
Photo credit: NASA.
Members of the STS-132 and Expedition 23 crew pose for a portrait while the Atlantis was docked with the International Space Station.
Photo credit: NASA.
With the Earth in the background, here is a shot of the Japanese Kibo module on the International Space Station.
Photo credit: NASA.
The Atlantis touched down at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility on the morning of May 26, 2010. The landing took over a minute, from the point where the back wheels touched down to wheelstop.
Photo credit: NASA/Carl Winebarger.
To help in slowing the space shuttle, a drag chute is deployed.
Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann.
Whenever a landing is planned, a convoy of safety and emergency vehicles is on standby.
Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Carl Winebarger.
From inside the Atlantis crew compartment, you can see that dozens of NASA workers were waiting for the shuttle to arrive.
Photo credit: Troy Cryder/courtesy of NASA.
The Atlantis crew exit the crew transfer vehicle. Much has changed in the return to Earth since those first Apollo days.
Photo credit: Kim Shiflett/courtesy of NASA.
Pilot Tony Antonelli poses for a photo underneath Atlantis. Notice the burn marks on the space shuttle’s skin from the atmosphere.
Photo credit: Kim Shiflett/courtesy of NASA.
After disembarking, the crew pose for another photo.
Photo credit: Kim Shiflett/courtesy of NASA.
After the shuttle has landed, a team of technicians enter the shuttle to power it down and prepare it for transport to the Orbiter Processing Facility-1.
Photo credit: Troy Cryder/courtesy of NASA.
The shuttle is being towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility-1.
Photo credit: Jack Pfaller/courtesy of NASA.
Atlantis entered the Orbiter Processing Facility-1 after its last scheduled flight. It will be processed in case it is needed for a rescue mission before the shuttle program shuts down.
Photo credit: Jack Pfaller/courtesy of NASA.
To see more photos, check out the complete NASA STS-132 mission gallery and the related CBS News gallery.
