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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science

Space shuttle Atlantis' final lift-off – in pictures

Shuttle Final Launch: NASA Prepares For Launch Of Space Shuttle Atlantis
A rainbow arches over space shuttle Atlantis as it stands on the launch pad Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: NASA Prepares For Launch Of Space Shuttle Atlantis
Atlantis comes in view as the rotating service structure is rolled back Photograph: Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: Shuttle Atlantis Poised For History-making Launch
Another view of Atlantis at launch pad 39a Photograph: Bill Ingalls/AFP/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: Space Shuttle Atlantis, Ian Montijo waits for the launch
A million-strong crowd had gathered to watch the launch, some like Ian Montijo, 20, rested before the scheduled lift-off Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: Thousands of spectators line the A.Max Brewer bridge the launch
Spectators gather on the A Max Brewer bridge to watch the launch Photograph: Hans Deryk/Reuters
Shuttle Final Launch: NASA's Final Space Shuttle Flight Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral
Galvin Reller from Troy, Missouri came to watch the launch in his space suit Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: Jeff Eaton of Cocoa Beach, Fla., sells t-shirts along A1A shuttle launch
Jeff Eaton of Cocoa Beach sells 'last shuttle' T-shirts Photograph: Dave Martin/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: NASA Prepares For Launch Of Space Shuttle Atlantis
Rabbi Zvi Konikov prays at Kennedy Space Center before the launch Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: Shuttle Atlantis astronauts wave after leaving the operations building
Atlantis astronauts (from left to right): Mission specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, pilot Doug Hurley and commander Chris Ferguson wave on their way to the launchpad Photograph: Chris O'Meara/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: Atlantis Commander Chris Ferguson gives a thumbs up
Atlantis commander Chris Ferguson gives a thumbs up as he is strapped on to his seat aboard the orbiter before launch Photograph: NASA TV/Reuters
Shuttle Final Launch: The Higginbotham family watches a live feed of news from NASA
A family watches a live feed of news from NASA as they wait to watch the launch from their camper van at Jetty Park Photograph: Brian Blanco/Reuters
Shuttle Final Launch: Onlookers fill a waterfront dock while waiting for the space shuttle launch
Taking positions on the waterfront dock in Titusville Photograph: Gerry Broome/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: Brody Keyes, 2 plays with a toy space shuttle waiting for shuttle launch
Two-year-old Brody Keyes of Fort Lauderdale plays with a toy space shuttle Photograph: Chip Litherland/Reuters
Shuttle Final Launch: NASA's Final Space Shuttle Flight Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral
Space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from Kennedy Space Center Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: NASA's Final Space Shuttle Flight Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral
Space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center
Atlantis lifts off for the final voyage Photograph: Chris O'Meara/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: NASA's Final Space Shuttle Flight Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral
A spectator reacts with joy as Atlantis launches for its final mission Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off at Kennedy Space Center
Space shuttle Atlantis leaves behind plumes of white clouds as it lifts off from Kennedy Space Center Photograph: Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Shuttle Final Launch: USA Shuttle Atlantis Launch at Kennedy Space Center
Snapping Atlantis as it darts into the sky Photograph: Justin Dernier/EPA
Shuttle Final Launch: Surefers watch from their sufboards as the space shuttle Atlantis lifts off
Surfers watch Atlantis fading into distance Photograph: Dave Martin/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: Spectators watch the space shuttle Atlantis lift off from the Space Center
Spectators watch Atlantis taking off for the final time Photograph: Terry Renna/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center
The lift-off from a distance Photograph: Dave Martin/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: Spectators watch the final launch of shuttle Atlantis in Titusville, Fla.
Spectators in Titusville watch final lift-off of space shuttle Atlantis Photograph: Gerry Broome/AP
Shuttle Final Launch: The exhaust plume from Space Shuttle Atlantis
The exhaust plume from Atlantis as seen through the window of a shuttle training aircraft Photograph: HO/Reuters
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