Space Shuttle

15:29 UT, 11:29 EDT - Launch

The Space Shuttle Atlantis has launched from pad-39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. It represents the last flight of the Shuttle and brings to an end to just over 30 years over flights from this remarkable space vehicle. Despite two tragic failures the Shuttle has been an icon of the manned exploration of space in recent years including its missions to the ISS and its defining missions to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

In a very unique setting over Earth's colourful horizon, the silhouette of the space shuttle Endeavour is featured in this photo by an Expedition 22 crew member on board the International Space Station, as the shuttle approached for its docking during the STS-130 mission.

Credit: NASA