Final countdown to NASA's last space shuttle launch begins

9News.com: Final countdown to NASA's last space shuttle launch begins

KUSA - While one space shuttle finishes its 33rd and final mission, another historic shuttle prepares to take off in early July.

"It really is about honoring the folks that have made this their careers'-worth of work," pilot Doug Hurley said.

Atlantis' STS-135 mission is set to launch July 8, delivering the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with more than 15,000 pounds of supplies and equipment for the outpost. This will be the Atlantis' last-ever space shuttle mission.

"It's a mix of emotions, obviously you're excited. The reality that this is the last flight in the program sets in to a degree. Obviously the biggest thing is you count your blessings, you're honored, you're humbled, you're lucky and very thankful. We just want to put the ISS in as best a posture as we can for the post-shuttle era. So we're taking up a large load of supplies - a year's worth of food for the ISS crew, spare parts, replacement parts, some scientific experiments and other supplies that they may need in the long-term," Hurley said.

In order to complete this mission it's necessary to have an amazing vehicle. The Atlantis - designed 30-plus years ago - can launch satellites, complete robotic tasks, carry huge pay-loads into space and gives us the opportunity to conduct space walks.

"It's going to be a while before we see a vehicle that versatile again for low earth orbit," Hurley said.

In May 2009, the Atlantis flew a seven-member crew but this trip will be very different. Only four experienced crew-members will board the Atlantis, a pre-caution for a potential rescue scenario.

In the event of a rescue, each astronaut will have to come back to Earth one at a time - a lengthy process - with Hurley potentially being the last to return home.

"I thought about it for a few minutes and I said, "Well, let me look at it this way: I've got nine months of shuttle training for this flight, versus the two-and-a-half years that most folks typically train to go on ISS for six months." So I told her, "Well, it's a bargain at any price so I'll take it,"" Hurley said.

This mission is unique, featuring one spacewalk on Flight Day Five unlike past shuttle flights. On the spacewalk, there will be two objectives: astronauts will retrieve the failed pump module which runs the cooling system, from last summer to bring back to Earth, so engineers can determine what caused it to fail.

Next, the walkers will detach the robotics refueling module from the payload bay and place it in a different area of the station.

"I think any time you're involving a spacewalker on the end of the arm and close clearances, it's always fairly intense," Hurley said.

What is Hurley looking forward to most?

"The cupola. There's no camera that can capture that vividness, just the stunning views that you see out the window. One look out the window is worth 1,000 camera views," Hurley said.

The cupola is the largest window used in space, and Hurley recommends keeping your eyes peeled during the fly-around of the station to witness breathtaking views.