History was made this July as the shuttle Atlantis lifted off on the final flight of NASA's Space Shuttle programme. After 32 flights into space, this iconic craft, upon its return to Earth, joins the fleet's other three vessels in retirement immediately following touchdown. In celebration of this awe-inspiring moment, Discovery Channel has come up with “Last Shuttle”, which is going to be telecast this Monday at 9 pm. The programme will repeat on Saturday at 8 pm.
NASA granted unprecedented access to the inside of this spacecraft, which Discovery Channel cameras have captured in incredible detail. The on-site NASA engineers take viewers under the hood of the orbiter craft to explain the secrets of its success. The all-access special, one year in the making, also features footage of the launch, filmed from Kennedy Space Centre. It also closely examines the history and future of shuttle programme and U.S. space exploration. It may be many years before NASA sends a man into space again.
As the sun sets on the shuttle programme, it will also mark the end of a way of life for a generation of NASA staff whose lives have largely revolved around these magnificent vehicles. The one-hour special focuses on the key people behind the scenes – engineers, astronauts and others who have spent their lives working with Atlantis. For many, this flight is loaded with mixed emotions, immense pride and nostalgia for the program, and sadness that it is coming to an end.
