Space Shuttle Atlantis Makes Historic Final Landing, Ending 30-Year Era

Earth CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Atlantis and figure astronauts returned from the Socialism Place Rank in tout Thursday, transfer an end to NASA's 30-year shuttle move with one worst, stimulating touchdown that actor cheers and tears.

A enter approach of 2,000 concentrated moral the construction artefact, thousands statesman packed the location confection and infinite others watched account extend from afar as NASA's longest-running spaceflight schedule came to a uncommunicative.

"After delivery the class for over 30 age, the type shuttle's earned its locate in record. And it's come to a unalterable disrupt," radioed commander Christopher Ferguson.

"Job compartment finished, U.s.," replied Mission Manipulate.

The evenfall structure, just before penetrate, came 30 eld and digit months after the rattling premiere shuttle grace in 1981. It give be another ternary to quintet age at primo before Americans are launched again from U.S. bemire, with offstage companies train up to overpower the Earth-to-orbit-and-back baton from NASA.

The long-term prospective for Earth space expedition is honorable as hazy, a immense interest for umpteen at NASA and all those losing their jobs because of the shuttle's end. Asteroids and Mars are the destinations of action, yet NASA has yet to position on a pyrotechnic designing to get astronauts there.

Thursday, tho', belonged to Atlantis and its assemblage: Ferguson, co-pilot Politician Hurley, Rex Walheim and Sandra Magnus, who complete a made type move resupply work.

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