Photos: NASA's Last Shuttle Mission in Pictures

Soaring Through a Space Locker

NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus flies through the Rafaello module, filled to the brim with supplies, during the last space shuttle mission (STS-135) to the International Space Station.

Atlantis' Orbiter Boom Sensor System

Space shuttle Atlantis floats serenely above the Earth in this image taken by one of the crew members from the aft flight deck during the mission's second day of activities in Earth orbit. Earth's horizon and aft sections of the shuttle are visible, while the orbiter boom sensor system (OBSS) sits on the starboard side of the spacecraft shortly before the OBSS was remotely maneuvered into position to start survey of the spacecraft's thermal protection system (TPS). The OBSS later checked for damage caused by ascent debris or anything that might endanger the shuttle's ability to return to Earth safely.

Atlantis and the Deep Blue Sea

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen over the Bahamas prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station at 11:07 a.m. (EDT) on July 10, 2011 on Flight Day 3 of NASA's last shuttle flight. Part of a Russian Progress spacecraft which is docked to the station is in the foreground.

Atlantis Docked to Harmony Module of ISS

A camera on the International Space Station snapped this view of the shuttle Atlantis docked to the orbiting lab's Harmony module on July 10, 2011, Flight Day 3 of NASA's final shuttle mission STS-135.

Checking out the Supplies

On July 8, 2011, Flight Day 1, NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (facing camera), mission specialist, and Doug Hurley, pilot, survey just a portion of the large "inventory" of supplies aboard the space shuttle Atlantis on route to the International Space Station.

International Space Station Photographed from the Space Shuttle Atlantis

This is one of a series of images showing the International Space Station photographed by a crewmember onboard the space shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft performed rendezvous and docking operations on the STS-135 mission's third day in Earth orbit, July 9, 2011, Flight Day 3..

Atlantis' Crew Hugs ISS Crew

With hugs and broad smiles, the last crew of space shuttle Atlantis is welcomed aboard the International Space Station on July 10, 2011, Flight Day 3, during NASA's final shuttle mission STS-135.

Magnus Takes a Break on the Middeck

NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus, STS-135 mission specialist, is pictured on the middeck deck of the space shuttle Atlantis during a brief break in the flight's second day of activities in Earth orbit.

Atlantis and Payload in Earth Orbit

On Flight Day 3, a nadir view of the space shuttle Atlantis and its payload was provided by one of a series of images showing various parts of the shuttle in Earth orbit. Seen at the rear of the cargo bay is the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module, packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. The series was photographed by one of three crewmembers -- half the station crew -- who were equipped with still cameras on the orbiting outpost as the shuttle "posed" for photos and visual surveys and performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). A 400 millimeter lens was used to capture this particular series of images.

Atlantis and Raffaello Multi-purpose Logistics Module Backdropped by Earth,

Backdropped against a mostly blue Earth scene, part of the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module, packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station, the vertical stabilizer of space shuttle Atlantis and the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods are seen in this view photographed by one of the STS-135 crewmembers using windows on the spacecraft's aft flight deck during the mission's second day of activities in Earth orbit, July 9, 2011, Flight Day 2.