The final countdown begins for the space shuttle Atlantis

Space · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Watch the final preparations for the STS-135 mission, marking the end of an era in human spaceflight. This video captures the transition as NASA prepares for the shuttle program's concluding flight to the International Space Station.

The video covers the ongoing preparations by the STS-135 crew and support personnel at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It highlights the significance of the July 8 launch of the space shuttle Atlantis, which serves as the final flight of the entire space shuttle program. The mission is scheduled to last 12 days and will focus on reaching the International Space Station.

The content also touches on broader NASA activities, including a meeting between Bolden and the Pope, updates on the International Space Station, and news regarding the Glenn Lecture and a new building at Langley.

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