Mission complete: Atlantis returns, ends shuttle era

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The space shuttle Atlantis' final approach to its safe landing this morning in Florida.(Credit: NASA)
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.--By the light of a waning moon, the shuttle Atlantis fell back to Earth this morning, dropping out of predawn darkness to close out NASA's 135th and final shuttle voyage, a long-awaited--and long-dreaded--milestone marking the end of an era for American manned space flight.
Coming home to a future clouded by tight budgets and uncertain political support, commander Christopher Ferguson guided Atlantis through a sweeping left overhead turn and lined up on runway 15, quickly descending into the glare of powerful xenon spotlights.
The "Final Four" shuttle astronauts were (from left) mission specialist Rex Walheim, pilot Douglas Hurley, commander Christopher Ferguson, and mission specialist Sandra Magnus. (Credit: NASA)
Approaching the 3-mile-long runway, Ferguson pulled the shuttle's nose up in a graceful flare, pilot Douglas Hurley lowered the ship's landing gear and Atlantis settled to a tire-smoking touchdown at 5:57 a.m. EDT. A few seconds later, as Atlantis barreled down the runway at more than 200 mph, Hurley deployed a red-and-white braking parachute and the shuttle's nose gear settled to the runway. Read more

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