Final Journey For Space Shuttle Atlantis

May 23: This photo shows an image taken from NASA television as the Atlantis shuttle, top left, moves away from the International Space Station after undocking. Atlantis undocked from a larger and virtually completed International Space Station on Sunday. After a week of flying together the shuttle headed for home on its final voyage. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 23: In this image taken from NASA television, the International Space Station is seen from the space shuttle Atlantis undocking. After a week of flying together, shuttle Atlantis undocked from a larger and virtually completed International Space Station on Sunday and headed for home on its final voyage. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 23: This photo shows an image taken from NASA television of the space shuttle Atlantis moving away from the International Space Station after undocking. The shuttle undocked from a larger and virtually completed International Space Station on Sunday.  (AP Photo/NASA)

May 21: STS-132 Mission Specialists Michael Good (left) and Garrett Reisman look through the aft flight deck windows of space shuttle Atlantis during the mission's third and final session of extravehicular activity. (NASA)

May 21: Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer, is photographed by an STS-132 member inside the International Space Station's Cupola, a seven-windowed turret-like module on the orbital outpost.     (NASA)

May 21: Astronaut Michael Good, STS-132 mission specialist, is seen from the space shuttle Atlantis' forward cargo bay, working during the flight's final space walk at the International Space Station.  (AP Photo/NASA)

May 20: the aft section of space shuttle Atlantis is shown in this photo provided by NASA while docked with the International Space Station. Earth's horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.  (AP Photo/NASA)

May 20: In this photo STS-132 Commander Ken Ham  is seen working in the Harmony node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Atlantis remains docked with the station. (NASA)

May 19: STS-132 Mission Specialist Michael Good participates in the mission's second session of extravehicular activity as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station.<br><br> (NASA)

May 17: This photo provided by NASA shows the space shuttle Atlantis and part of the International Space Station while the two spacecraft remain docked, during STS-132's flight-day four extravehicular activity of astronauts Garrett Reisman and Steve Bowen (not shown). (AP Photo/NASA)

May 16: The space shuttle Atlantis approaches the International Space Station for docking. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 17: Astronaut Garrett Reisman, STS-132 mission specialist, takes a self portrait into his helmet visor while participating in the first of three spacewalks scheduled for the space shuttle Atlantis crew and their Expedition 23 hosts. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 17: In this frame grab taken from NASA television, U.S. astronaut Garrett Reisman works on the International Space Station during a spacewalk. Two astronauts ventured out on a spacewalk Monday, the first of three this week, to install a spare antenna on the International Space Station. Atlantis crewmen Garrett Reisman and Stephen Bowen had to be careful handling the fragile 6-foot dish antenna. The shuttle delivered the antenna and other spare station parts Sunday. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 17: In this frame grab taken from NASA television, U.S. astronaut Stephen Bowen, seen from astronaut Garrett Reisman's helmet camera, exits the International Space Station during a spacewalk. Two astronauts ventured out on a spacewalk Monday, the first of three this week, to install a spare antenna on the International Space Station. Atlantis crewmen Garrett Reisman and Stephen Bowen had to be careful handling the fragile 6-foot dish antenna. The shuttle delivered the antenna and other spare station parts Sunday. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 16: Crew members operate in the cabin of the space shuttle Atlantis prior to docking with the International Space Station. (AP Photo/NASA)

May 16: Crew members operate in the cabin of the space shuttle Atlantis prior to docking with the International Space Station. (AP Photo/NASA)

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen as it departs on its final journey into space. (Reuters)

Onlookers watch anxiously as the space shuttle Atlantis barrels towards space. (Reuters)

A large trail of smoke is left in the wake of the space shuttle Atlantis as it propels itself towards outer space. (Reuters)

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen as it lifts off at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP)

The spaceship reached 15,500 miles per hour eight minutes into the flight, at an altitude of 64 miles over the planet. It will arrive at its destination, the International Space Station, in about 36 hours. (AP)

Reaching speeds of well over 3,000 miles per hour within the first two minutes of launch, Atlantis blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida -- "flying into a historic sunset," reported the space agency. (AP)

With the shuttle's final launch, NASA will close the book on this chapter of space travel, moving into the future without the space shuttle Atlantis. (Fox News)

The biggest launch-day crowd in years watched the last liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis. (Fox News)

Six veteran astronauts were strapped in and aboard Atlantis as it made its way towards the International Space Station at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time. (Fox News)

The last-minute discovery of a loose ball bearing threatened to derail the launch, but NASA nevertheless declared the shuttle ready for lift off and the mission was underway minutes later. (Fox News)

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen as it takes off for its final mission into space before being retired by NASA. (Fox News)

The space shuttle Atlantis is seen here as it awaits confirmation for takeoff on its 32nd and final journey into outer space. (Reuters)

Space Shuttle Atlantis Commander Ken Ham bids farewell to members of the white room team as he prepares to board the orbiter for launch. (Reuters)

The crew of the space shuttle Atantis departs crew quarters for launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. From left are Garrett Reisman, Mission Commander Ken Ham, Steve Bowen, Michael Good and Piers Sellers. (Reuters)

Atlantis Commander Ken Ham is strapped into his seat aboard the space shuttle as he prepares for launch. (Reuters)

Mission Specialist Piers Sellers, who was born in England, waves as he departs with other crewmembers of the space shuttle Atlantis. (Reuters)

NASA is planning to retire Atlantis and its sister ships Endeavour and Discovery by the end of the year to make way for the next era in space. Just how that era will shape up is still being discussed by NASA and lawmakers. (Reuters)