15 Years Later, the Final NASA Space Shuttle Crew Reflects on a Historic Mission
The crew of the final NASA Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, reunited at Kennedy Space Center to mark the 15th anniversary of their historic flight. It's been a remarkable journey since the crew launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 8, 2011, from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. After 30 years of missions, NASA's Space Shuttle chapter had come to a close, but the legacy of this final flight continues to inspire.
The mission to the International Space Station lasted 13 days, landing back at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility on July 21. It was a nearly flawless performance, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the crew and the people who processed and worked on the vehicle. But it wasn't without its challenges and memorable moments.
One of the most memorable moments, according to the crew, was the master alarm that caused a scare about a week into the flight. It turned out to be a faulty computer, but the crew had to spend two hours troubleshooting it. Another strange quirk of Atlantis was the bathroom door that swung open and slammed against the ladder during landing, a moment that still gives them goosebumps.
The mission was also incredibly busy, with the crew moving around 8,000 pounds of supplies from the shuttle to the ISS and about 6,000 pounds of supplies back to Earth. It was a chaotic process, with the crew having to find space for the bags and supplies, creating a mess that looked like someone had blown up a closet.
The crew stayed active after the retirement of the space shuttle. Commander Christopher Ferguson joined Boeing to work on the Starliner spacecraft program, while Pilot Douglas Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim continued their careers in the space industry. Hurley later commanded the first crewed SpaceX Dragon mission, Demo-2, in May 2020, marking the return of crewed orbital launches from Florida.
Despite the success of the final flight, the crew acknowledges the challenges they faced. The nine-year gap in orbital spaceflight from America was a significant issue, and the crew had to adapt to the new reality of relying on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. But the legacy of the Space Shuttle program lives on, and the crew is proud of their contribution to space exploration.
In my opinion, the reunion at Kennedy Space Center is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Space Shuttle program. It's a reminder of the hard work and dedication of the crew and the people who made it all possible. As we look back on this historic mission, we can appreciate the challenges and triumphs of the Space Shuttle era and look forward to the future of space exploration.
