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Weather can't keep Atlantis from its final adventure

Against the odds, space shuttle Atlantis shrugged off foul weather and roared toward orbit Friday on the final launch of the shuttle program.
Launch first, layoffs next for space program workers

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dean Pettit was at work on the space shuttle before it ever flew, and he was at work on it Friday, as Atlantis blasted into orbit for the final flight of the shuttle program.
14:10 July 8, 2011
Shuttle program's end might reduce opportunities for military pilots

Just as dark clouds threatened to scrub Friday’s planned launch of the final space shuttle mission, clouds over NASA’s role in human spaceflight could reduce opportunities for elite military pilots to take the ultimate next step upward.
12:16 July 8, 2011
End of shuttle leaves future of manned spaceflight unclear

As much a symbol as it is a vehicle, the massive white spaceplane poised on the pad at Kennedy Space Center for one last launch has made the United States the world leader in space for three decades.
Chances are, rain will prevent shuttle launch

A tropical wave rolling in from the Bahamas with nasty weather in tow is likely to scrub Friday’s planned shuttle launch, a NASA official said.
Shuttle program brought breakthroughs, but proved costly and dangerous

Chris Carroll's blog

The Final Countdown: Watching the launch

Three things about the final space shuttle launch Friday that caught me by surprise
The Final Countdown: Hopes for a launch

A cloudy dawn broke over Kennedy Space Center, but unlike yesterday, tiny patches of clear sky are peeking through. Significantly, there’s been none of the lightning that raised temporary concern yesterday when a strike was measured within one-third of a mile of the launch pad.
The Final Countdown: Rain may stop shuttle, but it can't stop fans

Despite the steady rain that threatened to delay the launch if it continued, hundreds – perhaps thousands – had already staked out their spots for miles along the Titusville waterfront and just across the bridge leading to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The Final Countdown: NASA touts its competition

Among the news briefings and demonstrations of arcane space technology NASA had prepared for journalists in the days leading up to Friday’s scheduled shuttle launch, one stood out – a government-organized tour of a private space firm’s launch facility.
The Final Countdown: NASA science launches still going strong

A panel of NASA-affiliated scientists gathered Wednesday morning to hype the agency’s upcoming science missions and, though the topic was never directly raised, fight the developing storyline that the end of the shuttle program means NASA has somehow lost its mojo.

Videos

Photo gallery: Stars and Stripes front pages about key events in the space shuttle program

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The Ruptured Duck

Vets group offers voters guide for veterans, military issues

IAVA says candidates’ positions on veterans unemployment, military mental health programs and GI Bill benefits should be at the forefront of voters’ decisions
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Pacific cross country in review, Sept. 2012

Unlike past seasons when Kadena and Seoul American dominated, this season looks wide open.
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Tropical Depression 20W, # 1

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