STS-132 Atlantis

STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis

STS-132 Overload (audio)

[audio:STS-132-Overload.mp3] The thundering power of space shuttle Atlantis’ twin Solid Rocket Boosters overwhelms the microphone, as recorded from the top of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building.

STS-132 RSS Rollback thumbnail

STS-132 RSS Rollback (timelapse)

The Rotating Service Structure rolls back from the launch pad, revealing space shuttle Atlantis over the course of 45 minutes on the eve of her ‘first final flight’ as STS-132.

STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis panorama from the roof of the VAB

STS-132 Launch Panorama

Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, blasts off from LC-39A on her ‘first final flight’. This is an extremely wide panorama, encompassing an expansive view of the Florida coastline as seen from the top of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building. Click image to view larger.


STS-132 space shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad after RSS rollback

STS-132 Rollback

Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, stands revealed on the launch pad after rollback of the Rotating Service Structure, the day before her ‘first final flight’. This is a small detail from a several hundred megapixel final composition.

STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis

Ascent Trail

Trailing a long plume of exhaust gases, space shuttle Atlantis (STS-132) heads for orbit from the Kennedy Space Centre.

STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis

Remote 1 Liftoff II

Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, soars into the clear Florida skies on her ‘first final flight’.


STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis

Level Roll

Pulling level with the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Atlantis (STS-132) has completed enough of her roll manouever to see directly between the External Tank and the orbiter itself.

STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis

VAB Liftoff

Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, clears the tower as seen from the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building.

STS-132 launch of space shuttle Atlantis

Remote 1 Liftoff

Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, soars into the clear Florida skies on her ‘first final flight’.