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US Space Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off on Its Final Mission

   VOA News 14 May 2010
   Liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-132 mission, 14 May 2010

Photo: NASA TV

   Liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-132 mission, 14 May 2010

   The  U.S.  space shuttle Atlantis has lifted off as scheduled from the
   Kennedy  Space  Center  in  Florida in one of the last missions of the
   space shuttle fleet.
   Skies  were  clear  over Florida Friday afternoon as the shuttle began
   its  12-day  mission  that  will  include  delivering  a small Russian
   research module to the International Space Station.
   Six  astronauts  are  aboard the shuttle, the last mission of Atlantis
   after  25  years  in  service.  Only two more shuttle missions remain
   after Friday's launch. Â
   NASA  is  retiring its shuttle fleet later this year to focus on a new
   strategy for space exploration.  When the shuttle program ends, space
   station  partners  will  rely  on Russian and private rockets to ferry
   supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station.

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