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SPACE WATCH· NASA TV· STS-135: Last Space Shuttle Mission
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Birds of a Feather
NASA – NASA’s modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft briefly flew in formation over the Edwards Air Force Base Test Range on Aug. 2, 2011. The aircraft were scheduled to be in the air on the same day, NASA 911 (plane in the foreground) on a flight crew proficiency flight, and NASA 905 (rear) on a functional check flight following maintenance operations. Since both aircraft were scheduled to be in the air at the same time, SCA pilot Jeff Moultrie of Johnson Space Center’s Aircraft Operations Directorate took the opportunity to have both SCA’s fly in formation for about 20 minutes while NASA photographer Carla Thomas captured still and video imagery from a NASA Dryden F/A-18. In addition to Moultrie, NASA 905′s check flight crew included pilot Arthur “Ace” Beall and flight engineer Henry Taylor while NASA 911 was flown by Larry LaRose, Steve Malarchick and Bob Zimmerman from NASA Johnson and Frank Batteas and Bill Brockett from NASA Dryden. Image Credit: NASA/Carla Thomas
Autograph Please!
STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, signs an insignia decal for his mission in the Quest airlock of the International Space Station. The shuttle insignia is mounted next to that of the Expedition 28.
Having docked shuttle Atlantis to the station over a week ago, Ferguson and three crewmates are preparing to undock from the orbiting outpost early on July 19 and prepare for a July 21 landing in Florida. July 18, 2011
Pilot on the Middeck
STS-135 Pilot Doug Hurley is pictured on the middeck of space shuttle Atlantis during the flight’s second day of activities in Earth orbit. July 9, 2011
Magnus on the Aft Flight Deck
STS-135 Mission Specialist Sandy Magnus is pictured on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis during the flight’s second day of activities in Earth orbit. July 9, 2011
Checking Out the Inventory
STS-135 Mission Specialist Rex Walheim (facing camera) and Pilot Doug Hurley survey just a portion of the large “inventory” of supplies aboard space shuttle Atlantis en route to the International Space Station. July 8, 2011
At the Commander’s Station
STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson is pictured at the commander’s station on the flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis during the mission’s initial day of activities in Earth orbit. July 8, 2011
External Tank View
Space shuttle Atlantis’ external fuel tank is seen during its release following the successful launch of the STS-135 mission.
One of Atlantis’ crew members using a hand-held still camera exposed the image. July 8, 2011
By Doug Smock – In an important technical breakthrough, researchers at 
