Kennedy Space Center (CNN) -- Despite a good chance of thunderstorms, Atlantis is fueled up and ready to blast off Friday morning in the final mission of America's 30-year space shuttle program.

The very last launch for a space shuttle is set for 11:26 a.m. ET.

The crew donned their orange suits and departed for launch pad 39A at 7:36 a.m.

Thousands of people, among them those who came to Kennedy Space Center three decades ago for the very first launch, gathered to watch. Almost a million are expected to be on hand to witness the historic event.

But it's summer in Florida and the weather remains a wild card.

Violent storms Thursday prompted NASA teams to carry out checks on the Atlantis. NASA said the shuttle escaped damage from two lightning strikes.

Read more here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/08/space.shuttle/index.html

Knowing her fate, Atlantis sent out ships to all corners of the Earth.
On board were the Twelve:
The poet, the physician, the farmer, the scientist, the magician,
And the other so-called Gods of our legends,
Though Gods they were.
And as the elders of our time choose to remain blind,
Let us rejoice and let us sing and dance and ring in the new . . .
Hail Atlantis!

Atlantis - Donovan

And we have LIFT OFF!

Godspeed, Atlantis!

Space Shuttle Atlantis undocks from International Space Station

(CNN) -- For the last time in the foreseeable future, a U.S. space shuttle undocked from the International Space Station.

Space shuttle Atlantis separated from the International Space Station at 2:28 a.m. ET Tuesday, about 250 miles above Earth. It will return home Thursday from NASA's final space shuttle mission.

Read more here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/19/shuttle.undocks/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Three of my neighbors will be unemployed tomorrow at 5:00 pm.

Hail, Atlantis!

Atlantis lands for final time, marking end to 30-year program

Kennedy Space Center, Florida (CNN) -- Soaring across the predawn haze, Atlantis glided back to Earth early Thursday -- capping a 30-year program that saw hundreds of astronauts go into space.

The landing at 5:57 a.m. ET went off without a hitch at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

But it marked a sentimental finish for the four astronauts, who woke up to "God Bless America" on their final morning in space.

"This one was dedicated to all the men and women who have worked for the space shuttle program in the past three decades," NASA said.

"We're all -- the four of us -- were honored to be a part of this," commander Chris Ferguson told reporters. "But ultimately, it's everyone who has worked on the shuttle program -- although we got to take the ride, we sure hope that everybody who has ever worked or touched or looked at or envied or admired a space shuttle was able to take just a little part of the journey with us."

Soon after it landed, Ferguson said the program ends on a hopeful note.

"The space shuttle changed the way we view the world, the way we view the universe," he told NASA mission controllers. "America's not going to stop exploring. Thanks for protecting us and bringing this program to a fitting end."

After Houston Mission Control signed off, ceding control to Kennedy Space Center, the mission control space filled with more than 100 people for an emotional outpouring. Flowers appeared, and a cake in the shape of Atlantis was rolled in. A box of cigars -- which weren't lit inside the building -- was passed around by mission control workers.

"Your work here has made America and the world a better place," Tony Ceccacci, entry flight director, told controllers in Houston. "It's been my extreme pleasure and honor to work with each one of you."

Read more here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/21/shuttle.landing/index.html?hpt=hp_c1