Wide Angle: The Shuttle's Final Countdown : Discovery News

Space Shuttle Glides Home in Final Landing

The shuttle's smooth landing closes the curtain on a 30-year program that carried people to space.

Empire State Building Salutes Atlantis' Return

July 20, 2011 -- The Empire State Building will be decked out in red, white and blue lighting tonight to welcome home the last space shuttle, NASA said Wednesday.

'Skinless' Shuttle Also Soon to Retire

The shuttle names Columbia, Atlantis and Discovery may ring a bell. But ever hear of OV-95? Few have and now it, too, will be retired.

Last Space Shuttle Heading Home

July 19, 2011 -- As Space Shuttle Atlantis left the space station, it remained uncertain when another U.S. spacecraft would return.

Obama Dials for Pizza, Gets the Space Station

The U.S. President joked with the space station astronauts on Friday, but had a heartfelt message for the final shuttle crew.

Aurora Australis and Space Shuttle Atlantis: Big Pic

Thursday night, some of the astronauts gathered in the space station's cupola and saw a sight they'll never forget.

Computer Shutdown Alarm Wakes Shuttle Crew

The crew of shuttle Atlantis had a shock last night when an alarm was triggered. Discovery News space correspondent Irene Klotz asked commander Chris Ferguson what it was like.

Inside Atlantis' Final Space Station Mission: Photos

The crew of Atlantis team-up with the crew of the space station to resupply, install a new experiment and return a broken pump.

What's In Store for Up-and-Coming Astronauts?

The new generation of astronauts has to learn a host of new skills, including Russian.

An Intimate View of Life Onboard Atlantis: Photos

Before docking with the International Space Station on Sunday, the NASA astronauts onboard Atlantis had a couple of days alone with the soon-to-retire spacecraft.

Space Junk No Threat to Atlantis and Space Station

July 11, 2011 -- If the crew of the final shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) thought the Cosmos would give them a break just because they are making history, they'd be wrong.

Shuttle Docks with Space Station One Last Time

Space Shuttle Atlantis carried out a "flawless" approach and docking with the International Space Station on Sunday.

Atlantis Shuttle Launch: Big Pic

Atlantis fired its rockets on Friday morning, launching the 135th and last flight of NASA's U.S. space transportation system.

Liftoff! Atlantis Blasts Off on Final Flight

Despite discouraging weather forecasts, Atlantis made a clean launch to start the shuttle program's final mission.

The NASA Way: Shuttle Launch Weather Forecasting

Considering all the trouble it takes to launch a space shuttle, you might think that a 70 percent chance of stormy weather would be good reason to reschedule.

The Space Shuttle's Final (Mundane) Flight

NASA ends its 30-year program with a delivery of bologna sandwiches.

Life After Space: Photos

How five astronauts started new lives after their missions ended.

Space Shuttle to Slip into History : Photos

As the Shuttle Program draws to a close, take a look at how NASA's spaceship has shaped manned spaceflight history.

Countdown Clocks Ticking for Final Shuttle Launch

July 5, 2011 -- Reporters keep asking NASA managers how they feel about working this last shuttle launch. "Bittersweet" is a word that comes up often. "Honored" is another.

NASA's Last Space Shuttle Crew Arrives for Launch

July 4, 2011 -- They call themselves "The Final Four" -- a diminutive crew slated to launch Friday on NASA's last space shuttle mission, a cargo run to the International Space Station.

Space Music: Shuttle Tracks to Blast Off With

Friday's planned Atlantis launch brings all this to a close and, amid all the emotion, you'll probably want to crank some appropriate space music.

Shuttle Atlantis 'Rollover' Spied by Orbiting Satellite : Big Pic

An orbiting satellite photographed shuttle Atlantis as it was being rolled to Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building for preparations before its final flight.

Shuttle Debuted Amid Unknown Dangers

In 1981, two astronauts launched aboard the shuttle's maiden flight, but there was a 1-in-9 chance of them not surviving.

Discovery Shuttle's First Pilot Remembers Rocky Start

Michael Coats, the first pilot to fly the Discovery, recalls a fiery and wet debut for the spacecraft.

Shuttle Astronaut Flew with a Secret: He had Parkinson's

Fifteen years ago, shuttle astronaut Rich Clifford launched into space with a secret -- a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Countdown to Shuttle Launch and Layoffs Under Way

May 13, 2011 -- Dual countdowns are under way at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida today. The 3-day countdown to a shuttle launch and a 60-day countdown to heavy job losses for United Space Alliance's employees.

Historic Pairing: Shuttle Docked to the ISS : Big Pic

During shuttle Endeavour's final mission, a unique photo opportunity presented itself. Here are the historic photographs of a shuttle docked to the International Space Station.

NASA Announces Shuttle Retirement Homes

April 12, 2011 -- NASA's chief Charlie Bolden was at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to announce where the space shuttles will spend their retirements.

NASA's Human Touch

March 23, 2011 -- Workers at the Kennedy Space Center assemble outside the space shuttle's assembly building in a poignant reminder that is the people who make the wondrous machines work.

Wide Angle: The Shuttle's Final Countdown