NASA Confirms Date for Shuttle Program's Final Launch
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
By: News Staff

June 28, 2011 | WMFE - The last space shuttle launch is set for Friday, July 8th. NASA managers met at Kennedy Space Center Tuesday and confirmed the final launch date for Atlantis.

The 12-day mission will close out the 30-year shuttle program.

Atlantis will fly to the International Space Station with a year's worth of supplies. Four astronauts will be on board for this grand finale. 

NASA spent the past week testing a new fuel valve that was installed in one of Atlantis' main engines to stop a leak. Technicians also X-rayed support brackets on the external fuel tank. Officials say everything looks good.

Launch time is 11:26 a.m. Huge crowds are expected.