Gallery: Atlantis, the Last Shuttle on the Launchpad

Space Shuttle Atlantis on the launchpad. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

[/caption]

It was the ultimate experience for a space enthusiast. Universe Today photographer Michael Deep had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the last shuttle that will ever sit on a launchpad and head to space. Enjoy some unique views of space shuttle Atlantis before she goes down into history as the final shuttle to launch to space.

And stay tuned all week for great photos and articles to chronicle the final shuttle launch: Universe Today photographers Alan Walters, Mike Deep, and David Gonzales as well as writers Ken Kremer and Jason Rhian are on location at Kennedy Space Center to provide full coverage.

Remove All Ads on Universe Today

Join our Patreon for as little as $3!

Get the ad-free experience for life

Sunrise at launchpad 39A. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

A view of Atlantis from the gantry. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

A view of the walkway to enter the shuttle. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

Atlantis on the launchpad. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today

Unique view of shuttle Atlantis on the pad. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

The shuttle's SRBs get the stack off the ground. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today

The view from the top of launchpad 39A at KSC. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

Atlantis. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

Looking down at Atlantis from the gantry. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

A wide-angle view of Atlantis on the launchpad. Credit: Mike Deep for Universe Today.

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy has been with Universe Today since 2004, and has published over 6,000 articles on space exploration, astronomy, science and technology. She is the author of two books: "Eight Years to the Moon: the History of the Apollo Missions," (2019) which shares the stories of 60 engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make landing on the Moon possible; and "Incredible Stories from Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos" (2016) tells the stories of those who work on NASA's robotic missions to explore the Solar System and beyond. Follow Nancy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Nancy_A and and Instagram at and https://www.instagram.com/nancyatkinson_ut/