The final countdown: NASA clears Atlantis for its ultimate flight

Space · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Space shuttle managers have officially greenlit one of the most significant milestones in modern space exploration. This video covers the high-stakes readiness review that determined if the vehicle was truly worthy of its final voyage.

During the STS-135 Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, managers conducted a rigorous assessment of the shuttle Atlantis. The goal was to confirm the vehicle's flight worthiness before committing to its final mission.

The review resulted in an official launch date of July 8 at 11:26 a.m. EDT. This decision marks the culmination of extensive preparation for the shuttle program's concluding chapter.

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