End of an era as America’s dominance in manned space flight fades away with thundering launch of last space shuttle ATLANTIS.
Atlantis and four astronauts blasted into orbit Friday on NASA's last shuttle voyage, writing finis to 30 years of triumph, shattering tragedy and unfulfilled expectations.
Atlantis lifted off at 11:29 a.m. – just 2 1/2 minutes late – and embarked on the 135th mission.
The crowd of spectators was estimated at nearly 1 million as they witnessed the final step in an epochal journey cut short by short-sided administrators and bureaucrats.
"Let's light this fire one more time," Commander Christopher Ferguson told the world, echoing The Right Stuff bravado made famous by the Mercury Seven.
The shuttle remained visible for 42 seconds before disappearing into not only the clouds but the history books.
