Don Emmert / AFP – Getty Images

Space Shuttle Atlantis lands on May 26, 2010 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fl. The Atlantis returned to Earth Wednesday, wrapping up the final mission of its 25-year career. Once the shuttle program ends, the United States will rely on Russian Soyuz rockets to carry its astronauts to the International space station until a commercial US launcher can be developed.

Atlantis touches down

MSNBC.com story: Space shuttle Atlantis finishes its final flight

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