STS-135

STS-135
source
Mission name	STS-135
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Atlantis
Crew	Christopher Ferguson, Douglas Hurley, Sandra Magnus, Rex Walheim
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center
Launch date	July 8, 2011
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center
Landing date	July 21, 2011

STS-135 was the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, operated by NASA. The mission was crewed by Christopher Ferguson, Douglas Hurley, Sandra Magnus, and Rex Walheim, who launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center on July 8, 2011. The mission marked the end of an era for the Space Shuttle program, which had been in operation since Columbia's first flight in 1981, and had included notable missions such as STS-1, STS-7, and STS-51-L. The Space Shuttle Atlantis was the last of the Space Shuttle orbiters to be built, and had previously flown on missions such as STS-71 and STS-115.

Mission Overview

The mission was designed to resupply the International Space Station with cargo and equipment, and to mark the end of the Space Shuttle program. The crew of STS-135 spent 13 days in space, during which time they conducted a variety of scientific experiments and performed maintenance tasks on the International Space Station. The mission was supported by a team of engineers and technicians from NASA, including those from the Johnson Space Center and the Marshall Space Flight Center. The Space Shuttle Atlantis was equipped with a range of instruments and equipment, including the Canadarm robotic arm, which was used to perform a variety of tasks during the mission. The crew also worked closely with the European Space Agency and the Russian Federal Space Agency to ensure the success of the mission.

Crew

The crew of STS-135 consisted of four experienced astronauts: Christopher Ferguson, Douglas Hurley, Sandra Magnus, and Rex Walheim. Christopher Ferguson was the commander of the mission, and had previously flown on STS-115 and STS-126. Douglas Hurley was the pilot of the mission, and had previously flown on STS-127. Sandra Magnus was a mission specialist, and had previously flown on STS-112 and STS-126. Rex Walheim was also a mission specialist, and had previously flown on STS-110 and STS-122. The crew was supported by a team of astronauts and engineers from NASA, including Barry Wilmore, Cady Coleman, and Scott Kelly.

Mission Objectives

The primary objective of the mission was to resupply the International Space Station with cargo and equipment. The crew of STS-135 delivered a range of supplies to the station, including food, water, and scientific equipment. The mission also included a variety of scientific experiments, including research on the effects of microgravity on plant growth and the behavior of fluids in space. The crew worked closely with scientists from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Russian Federal Space Agency to conduct the experiments and gather data. The mission also included a range of educational activities, including a video conference with students from the University of Texas and a demonstration of the Space Shuttle's robotic arm.

Mission Timeline

The mission began on July 8, 2011, when the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center at 11:29 am EDT. The crew spent the first two days of the mission in orbit, conducting checks on the Space Shuttle's systems and preparing for docking with the International Space Station. On July 10, the crew docked with the station, and began transferring cargo and equipment. The crew spent the next 10 days in space, conducting scientific experiments and performing maintenance tasks on the station. The mission ended on July 21, 2011, when the Space Shuttle Atlantis landed back at Kennedy Space Center at 5:57 am EDT. The crew was greeted by a team of engineers and technicians from NASA, including Charles Bolden and Lori Garver.

Spacecraft and Payload

The Space Shuttle Atlantis was the spacecraft used for the mission, and was equipped with a range of instruments and equipment. The payload included a range of scientific experiments, as well as cargo and equipment for the International Space Station. The crew used the Canadarm robotic arm to transfer cargo and equipment between the Space Shuttle and the station. The mission also included a range of other instruments and equipment, including the Space Shuttle's Orbital Maneuvering System and the Reaction Control System. The Space Shuttle Atlantis was supported by a team of engineers and technicians from NASA, including those from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and the John F. Kennedy Space Center. The mission marked the end of an era for the Space Shuttle program, and paved the way for future missions to the International Space Station, including those using the Soyuz spacecraft and the Dragon spacecraft. Category:Space Shuttle missions