Atlantis Docks a Final Time

Last shuttle mission cruising along smoothly
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 10, 2011 11:04 AM CDT
Space Shuttle Atlantis Docks a Final Time
Atlantis docked at the International Space Station, Sunday, July 10, 2011. Atlantis is delivering an entire year's worth, in fact, to keep the complex going in the post-shuttle era.   ((AP Photo/NASA))

Atlantis has docked with the International Space Station, yet another final milestone as NASA winds down its storied shuttle program with what the AP is perhaps excessively referring to as "a flight full of passion." "Atlantis arriving," called space station astronaut Ronald Garan Jr. as the station's naval bell chimed. "Welcome to the International Space Station for the last time." The docking, the 46th of the shuttle program, went off without a hitch. Atlantis brings some four tons of food and provisions—enough to sustain the outpost for a year. (More Atlantis Space Shuttle stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X