The final shuttle flight to deliver a legacy of space logistics
In short: On November 27, 2009, the Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down in Florida, marking the end of an era. While it delivered tons of hardware to the International Space Station, it also carried a historic milestone: transporting the final astronaut to be ferried by a shuttle.
STS-129 was not just another logistics run; it was the 31st shuttle mission to the International Space Station. Launched from Pad 39A on November 16, 2009, the orbiter Atlantis traveled 4.5 million miles over a duration of 10 days, 19 hours, and 16 minutes. The primary objective was heavy lifting: the shuttle's payload bay secured nearly 30,000 pounds of replacement parts and equipment designed to sustain station operations for several years.
The mission involved complex orbital maneuvers and high-stakes maintenance. After a two-day chase to dock with the station, the crew conducted three demanding spacewalks. Among the cargo delivered were critical components like a spare gyroscope and the EXPRESS Logistics Carriers 1 and 2. These missions required precise coordination between the shuttle crew and the resident Expedition 21 team, who even provided a surprise Thanksgiving dinner for the visitors during their final full day in orbit.
The mission holds a unique place in aviation history due to Nicole Stott. Despite having lived on the station as an Expedition 20/21 flight engineer, her journey via Atlantis marked the final instance of a NASA astronaut moving to or from the orbital outpost using a space shuttle. This transition signaled the closing chapter of the shuttle program's role as the primary ferry for human spaceflight.
The voyage concluded with a successful deorbit burn and landing at Kennedy Space Center on November 27, 2009. While the shuttle era was ending, the mission ensured the station's longevity by providing the massive hardware upgrades necessary to keep the orbiting laboratory functional for years to come.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: NASA STS-129 Mission Highlights
- Also: STS-129 - NASA
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-nasa-sts-129-mission-highlights.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
