Space

Space shuttle Atlantis liftoff seen from above

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July 10, 2011

NASA’s Shuttle Training Aircraft – used to teach astronauts to fly the shuttle itself – caught this beautiful image of final launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on July 8, 2011. The final mission: STS-135. (sniff!)

Atlantis left Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 10:29 a.m. CDT (15:29 UTC). The shuttle’s final mission: the International Space Station (ISS) for a last supply run.

Space shuttle Atlantis up and away one last time

Striking NASA photos show last Space Shuttle launch from above

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July 10, 2011

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Space

Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.