Topic: Space Shuttle Atlantis

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In Pictures: Timeline of American rockets
The 9 weirdest things ever flown on the Space Shuttle

When NASA's space shuttles launch into orbit, they don't just carry astronauts and supplies into the final frontier. There's a lot of other weird stuff that makes the out-of-this-world journey, too. Here nine recent space oddities carried into orbit on NASA shuttles.
In Pictures: Atlantis: The final mission
In Pictures: Coming back to Earth
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/17

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Space shuttle Enterprise takes final flight to New York (+video)

The space shuttle Enterprise flew atop a jet airliner bound for New York on Friday, where it will go on display later this year.
How do they remove the Space Shuttle Discovery from its carrier aircraft?

Very carefully.
Space Shuttle Discovery lands, for the last time, in Washington, D.C. (+video)

After saluting the nations capital from atop a modified jumbo jet, the Space Shuttle Discovery touched down at Dulles International Airport to be handed over to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Grounded space shuttles find new homes

NASA's retired space shuttle orbiters are making their way to museums around the country.
NASA: Record number of astronaut applicants, but no spaceships

The space agency received more than 6,300 applications between Nov. 15 and Jan. 27 during the search for new astronauts – making it second-highest turnout ever and double the normal response, NASA officials said.
In Pictures: Timeline of American rockets
String of accidents could leave International Space Station without crew

When the International Space Station's crew departs this fall, the station could be left unmanned. Flights there have been halted until the cause of last week's space freighter crash is determined.
Russian spacecraft falls from the sky. Is the International Space Station in trouble?

The second embarrassing loss of a Russian space vehicle in a week spells trouble for Russia's space program and its ability to maintain the International Space Station.
Space shuttle program ends: Were Americans sad to see it go?

The last space shuttle mission ended Thursday when Atlantis landed, and Americans aren't confident that Obama administration knows where to take human spaceflight next.
With Atlantis landing, an era ends. Are private space firms ready for duty?

The Atlantis landing just before 6 a.m. Thursday marks the end of the US space shuttle program – and the transition to private firms as the cargo carriers to space. Perhaps they'll ferry people, too.
Shuttle Atlantis releases tiny satellite before returning to Earth

Shuttle Atlantis put PicoSat, a US military satellite, into orbit Wednesday morning. See video below of space shuttle Atlantis leaving the International Space Station for the last time.
Atlantis Day 2: Coldplay song evokes bittersweet moment for space shuttle

To NASA workers and shuttle fans, Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" as Atlantis's Saturday wakeup call was a wistful tribute to a vehicle that has been the leading symbol of America's space program.
Horizons
Space shuttle Atlantis carries some curious cargo: two iPhones

Space, the final frontier. These are smart phones of the space shuttle Atlantis. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new apps and to boldly go where no iPhone has gone before.
Final shuttle mission: Who'll supply the International Space Station now?

Atlantis and its four-member crew, in the final mission of the space shuttle program, shrugged off concerns about the weather and took off for one last supply run to the International Space Station.
The 9 weirdest things ever flown on the Space Shuttle

When NASA's space shuttles launch into orbit, they don't just carry astronauts and supplies into the final frontier. There's a lot of other weird stuff that makes the out-of-this-world journey, too. Here nine recent space oddities carried into orbit on NASA shuttles.
In Pictures: Atlantis: The final mission
Atlantis launch successful, historic final shuttle mission underway

Atlantis launch: Despite a bleak forecast of thunderstorms and clouds, the shuttle beat the weather in a stunning midday launch, sailing into the sky on one final voyage.
In Pictures: Coming back to Earth
Space shuttle Endeavour on terra firma, ending 19 years as orbiter

A flawless predawn landing on Wednesday capped the penultimate flight of the US space shuttle program. With Endeavor's mission over, Atlantis is already on the launch pad.
Space Shuttle Endeavour: See the last flyby early Tuesday morning

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will be visible in the night sky early Tuesday morning. When can you see Endeavor, on it's last mission, and where should you look?
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/17
Space shuttle Endeavour crew launch their own Star Trek poster

Space shuttle Endeavour crew members are big enough Star Trek fans to pose for a Trekkie poster, modeled after the 2009 J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie.
After the space shuttle, astronaut corps awaits a new mission

NASA's once-iconic astronaut corps will shrink but still play a vital role as the space shuttle era comes to an end.
Milestones in U.S. manned spaceflight

A timeline of significant moments in America's quest to reach for the stars.
New Endeavour liftoff date: no earlier than May 16

Space shuttle Endeavor, the next-to-last shuttle in NASA's dwindling fleet, was scheduled to depart on its final mission on April 29, but that has been pushed back to at least May 16.