Living With The Legends of Atlantis
- Victoria Jean Buckman
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
STS-135: A Conversation With History
In July, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis marked the end of an era with its final flight, the STS-135 mission, the end of NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle Program. This July NASA commemorates that occasion by bringing together the last crew to pilot Atlantis here at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
We stood beneath Atlantis, suspended above us in dignified tribute, a strong symbol of one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements. Even in stillness, it commands awe, embodying the ambition, innovation, and resilience that defined the Space Shuttle Program. Attend this particular exhibit here at Kennedy Space Center and upon entering, you will know exactly what kind of command I am referencing.
With discussions moderated by former Launch Director, Mike Leinbach, the astronauts that were the final crew to fly Atlantis reflected on the triumphs, challenges, and defining moments of that remarkable era, with the spacecraft overhead serving as a tangible symbol of the history they helped create. It was a special honor to be together with them and their storied ship, and standing room only as many crowded in to hear them tell their stories around this fireside chat.
One of the most memorable remarks of the final launch itself came just before liftoff, when Commander Christopher Ferguson spoke to Launch Director Mike Leinbach in Mission Control:
"We're not ending a journey today, Mike. We're completing a chapter of a journey that will never end."
Those words resonate even more today. As humanity enters the Artemis era, Ferguson's message from the 15th anniversary fireside chat reminds us that the pursuit of space exploration is defined not by a single program or spacecraft, but by the journey itself.
Each mission closes one chapter while opening another in a journey that continues to inspire generations.
Mission Specialist Rex Walheim pointed out, "We're as excited about the Artemis program as you are," and reminded us all how "...Artemis II captured the world's attention." That excitement is carried forward as NASA begins stacking Artemis III inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building, advancing its mission to return humans to the Moon.
Former crew of STS-135 Christopher Ferguson and Mike Leinbach Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center
Pictured above, first photo right to left:
Christopher Ferguson Commander, Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135)
Doug Hurley Pilot, Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135)
Sandra Magus Mission Specialist, Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135)
Rex Walheim Mission Specialist, Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135)
Second photo: Launch Director, Mike Leinbach and Commander, Christopher Ferguson.
Third photo: Atlantis on display inside Space Shuttle Atlantis, Kennedy Space Center
