The Space Shuttle Atlantis made its final touchdown this morning at 8:48am EDT, ending a 12 day mission in Earth orbit. It was its 32nd, and last, flight.
Atlantis will be made ready to serve as an emergency backup for Endeavor during the Shuttle fleet's final mission in November. NASA is hoping Atlantis will be allowed to make one more flight in 2011, but that would require the personal approval of His Highness Obama. Chances are that Atlantis has taken to the air for the last time.
Only two more Shuttle missions are authorized. Then, manned space exploration effectively ends for the forseeable future as directed by the White House.
Photo Credit AP
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