It has been 13 years since NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis completed its final mission, STS-135, on July 8, 2011. This flight marked the end of the Space Shuttle program, which was crucial in advancing human spaceflight since the early 1980s. The mission, which almost didn’t occur due to budget constraints, successfully delivered the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting the Shuttle’s essential role in supporting international cooperation in space.

Over its operational lifetime, the Shuttle program completed 135 missions, achieving significant milestones such as the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope. The conclusion of the Shuttle program is a blend of pride and nostalgia, as it laid the groundwork for future space missions and inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers. Although the program has ended, its legacy continues to influence ongoing space exploration efforts.