NASA sets July 8 for Atlantis final flight

Atlantis`` STS-135 mission will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with supplies and spare parts to sustain space station operations after the shuttles are retired.

Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 8, according to NASA officials.

The 12-day mission will be the final flight in the 30-year-old space shuttle program.

The launch date was announced Tuesday at the conclusion of a flight readiness review at Kennedy.

During the meeting, senior NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle and station``s equipment, support systems and personnel are ready.

Atlantis`` STS-135 mission will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with supplies and spare parts to sustain space station operations after the shuttles are retired.

The mission also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space - even satellites not designed to be serviced.

The crew also will return an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. Engineers want to understand why the pump failed and improve designs for future spacecraft.

ANI

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