Enjoy Space : Image of the day

Atlantis’ last blast-off
On 14 May 2010, space shuttle Atlantis blasted off towards Earth orbit for the last time as part of the STS-132 mission. However, when it returns to Earth, it is to be prepared for another blast-off! Atlantis is, in fact, to be the emergency space shuttle should Endeavour encounter a problem and not be able to return its crew safely to Earth during flight STS-134 scheduled for November 2010. There are those who are currently pressing for Atlantis, thus prepared, to lift-off anyway to the International Space Station one last time, following the return of STS-134, consequently adding STS-135 to the schedule (Russian Soyuz would then take on the role of emergency spaceships should they be required). However, numerous technical and budgetary obstacles remain.
Credit: NASA/Kenny Allen

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