(Sen) - Space Shuttle Atlantis is undertaking its final mission. Atlantis's 12 day mission launched on 14 May 2010 and will see it dock at the International Space Station (ISS) with additional parts and equipment.
Its prime payloads are the second of two Russian Mini-Research Modules and additional spare parts, including a set of batteries for the ISS's truss and a high-powered dish antenna assembly. Mini Research Module-1 will provide additional storage space and a new docking port for Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft.
On board the shuttle are 6 astronauts. The Commander is Ken Ham alongside pilot Tony Antonelli and mission specialists Garrett Reisman, Michael Good, Piers Sellers and Steve Bowen.
This is the 32nd and final mission for shuttle Atlantis which will have travelled nearly 120 million miles by the time of its arrival back on Earth.
There are 2 more scheduled missions for the Space Shuttle which will be for Endeavour in July and Discovery in September.
Note: Atlantis in fact flew once more on mission STS-135, the final ever mission for the Space Shuttle.