The final handshake between two icons of human spaceflight

Space · Published 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The conclusion of a period occurred as the International Space Station was left by Atlantis during its ultimate shuttle departure. This wasn't just a routine separation; it was a choreographed farewell involving high-stakes logistics and a unique orbital dance that showcased decades of engineering.

The final departure of the space shuttle Atlantis occurred during mission STS-135 in July 2011. This specific undocking represented the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program's ability to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). Before this historic moment, missions like STS-132 had already established a pattern of complex joint operations, where shuttle crews and ISS expedition members coordinated closely for days at a time. The STS-132 mission concluded with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after a 12-day stay. Commander Ken Ham led the crew of six during this final orbital period.

The mechanics of these departures were often more than just pulling away. During the final undocking on July 19, 2011, the station performed an unprecedented maneuver: it rotated 90 degrees immediately after separation. This was done specifically to provide the shuttle crew with better views as they began their journey home. These missions also served as vital logistical lifelines; for instance, during the STS-129 mission in 2009, Atlantis delivered two external logistics carriers (ELC-1 and ELC-2) and nearly 15 tons of hardware to the station. During the ULF3 flight in 2009, three astronauts performed spacewalks to maintain station components. This mission also facilitated the return of Nicole P. Stott, who was the last astronaut to rotate on a shuttle.

Beyond the hardware, these moments were defined by human connection. On missions like STS-129, joint crews celebrated milestones together, such as a diverse Thanksgiving gathering in space involving 12 people. Today, while the shuttle is gone, the cycle of visiting and departing continues with spacecraft like the Soyuz MS-20, which recently concluded a nearly 12-day mission to return three individuals—including Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin—to Earth. The Soyuz MS-20 trio prepared for their landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan at approximately 10:13 p.m. local time. They closed the hatch to their spacecraft around 2:20 p.m. EST before beginning the deorbit burn.

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