, and liftoff! the final liftoff of "atlantis on the shoulders of the space shuttle "america" will continue the dream. >> space shuttle spreads the wings one more time for the final time into a sentimental journey into history. >> with the threat of bad weather putting the launch in jeopardy, there was a mix of emotion in the liftoff, and exhilaration, and excitement, and they are carrying a year's worth of supplies to the international space station. an estimated 1 million people watched in the areas the shuttle took flight. and space correspondent jay barbary is with me, and he has covered every manned space flight since this whole thing started, and we are now into the my and we have developing news

the shuttle program ends with no clear successor. >> liftoff!uttle had its critics, it was expensive, there were astronauts. but there was nothing like it in the world. americans conceived it. when tragedy struck, americans pressed ahead without fire. to a generation, man in space seemed as american as the constellation in our flag. but today marked the end of the heroic age of space flight when we all claimed ownership. the last shuttle left the earth, drawing a bright, burning line in the sky, the signature of people who dare to dream. and that's the "cbs evening "cbg news." i'm scott pelley at the kennedy space center. for all of us as cbs news all around the world, good night.

>>> on the broadcast tonight, >> liftoff. the final liftoff of "atlantis." >> the final flight, this was it, it's underway, the end of the u.s. manned space program as we know it. a successful launch while on the ground, hundreds of thousands of people thrilled to witness history. >>> help wanted. bad news on jobs today and signs of a black sliding economy. the question is, is there any good economic news buried in the figures? making history. one woman, a marine, shatters another barrier. tonight, here story and her commanding style. >>> and, california, here they come. the royals are the stars of hollywood tonight. >>> also tonight, if you live near it, you know it's coming, it's called carmageddon and it's just days away. it's called carmageddon and it's just days away. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> good evening. it was visible in the sky for about a minute and then it was gone in the clouds. the last launch of the u.s. manned space program is history. they're in earth orbit n

and liftoff. the final liftoff of atlantis. >> reporter: the shuttle atlantis, rocketed into the cloudy florida sky. >> the space shuttle spreads its wings one final time for the start of a sentimental journey into history. >> reporter: at the kennedy space center, there were cheers special some tears for the 135th and final mission. >> it's one of the most amazing things i have ever seen in my entire life. i'm so emotional. >> i was crying. there's no doubt about it. i can't help it. >> reporter: for this 36th trip to the space station, only four astronauts journeyed instead of the usual six or 7. this time, there is no backup shuttle in case of emergency. it's up to the russians to provide any rescue. >> reporter: just before liftoff, shlts commander chris ferguson paid tribute to everyone at nasa. >> always going to be a reflection to a great nation. >> reporter: for thousands of nasa employees, once atlantis returns to earth in 12 days, they'll be out of work. and the job losses reach across t

. >> caption colorado, llc comments@captioncolorado.com onight, liftoff. >> one more time we can witness this great nation at it best. >> america at its best and most challenged. bob orr on the glorious final launch. kelly cobiella with the hundreds of thousands who witnessed history. but after the thrill, for space workers the layoffs begin. what's next? >> food stamps. >> anthony mason has today's national jobs report. troubling new information on hiring. and with a tragedy at the game, are the ballparks to blame? captioning sponsored by cbs this is the "cbs evening news" with scott pelley. reporting tonight from the kennedy space center. >> pelley: good evening. today for the last time america reached for the heavens with its space shuttle. "atlantis," the last in the fleet, roared aloft on a tower of flame, the 135th shuttle launch over 30 years, an ending to what is perhaps the greatest engineering achievement of all time. but this day was bittersweet because many people who shared in that achievement and depended on the shuttle for their livelihood will soon be out of work in the t

. >> liftoff. the final liftoff of atlantis on the shoulders of the space shuttle america will continue the dream. >> atlantis will rendezvous with an international space station and bring a year's worth of supplies to the six crew members currently aboard before returning to earth to officially mark the end of the program. so after 30 years, why is the space shuttle program coming to an end? what will nasa ace next great adventure be and could commercial space travel be on the horizon? here's a special report from cnn's john zerella, "beyond atlantis: the last frontier". >> main engine start. >> shuttle has cleared the tower. >> the spacecraft that launches like a rocket and lands like a plane. >> touchdown. >> the beginning of a remarkable era. >> what we did in shuttle over 30 years dwarfed what was done in the apollo era. >> but 135 missions later, the space shuttle program is being eliminated. what's next for nasa? >> mars isn't 20 years in the future for the last 30 years. >> and could commer

>> two, one, zero and liftoff!>> besides the forecast that called for some rain and plenty of cloud cover this morning, atlantis blasted off on the final mission of nasa's 30- year-old space shuttle program. >> about a million people gathered at the kennedy space center and surrounding towns to watch this morning's launch. our kristin fisher was there amongst them at cape canaveral. kristin, you got to take this in with the first mom in space who also happens to be your mom. >> reporter: yeah, it was such an incredible experience. so happy the shuttle went today. it is the end of an era for our country's human spaceflight program and for the nasa employees and for me. i grew up surrounded by shuttles. >> kristin, you're going to go bye-bye on a jet. jet. >> it shouldn't be too surprising that my very first word was jet. then came -- rockets. >> for christmas, at just 17 months old, i got a toy airport set from santa. >> it is an airport. >> for halloween, i didn't stand a chance. i was going to be an astronaut whet

. >> liftoff. the final liftoff of atlantis on the shoulders of the space shuttle america will continue the dream. >> atlantis will rendezvous with an international space station and bring a year's worth of supplies to the six crew members currently aboard before returning to earth to officially mark the end of the program. so after 30 years, why is the space shuttle program coming to an end? what will nasa ace next great adventure be and could commercial space travel be on the horizon? here's a special report from cnn's john zerella, "beyond atlantis: the last frontier". >>> main engine start. >> shuttle has cleared the tower. >> the spacecraft that launches like a rocket and lands like a plane. >> touchdown. >> the beginning of a remarkable era. >> what we did in shuttle over 30 years dwarfed what was done in the apollo era. >> but 135 missions later, the space shuttle program is being eliminated. what's next for nasa? >> mars isn't 20 years in the future for the last 30 years. >> and could comme

we'll let you listen to them. >> and liftoff. the final liftoff of "atlantis."asa's space shuttle program... just over 30 >> the space shuttle atlantis blasted off 25 minutes ago, the last mission of the space shuttle program. there she goes. over 30 years after the initial launch. four astronauts now headed to the international space station to make a final supply run. >>> near california, two people are dead after a small plane crashed into a hospital in watsonville. you're looking at amateur video of the crash that happened at 7:30 last night at an administration area of the hospital. the single engine plane had just taken off from watsonville community airport. no one on the ground was hurt. >>> members of the oakland police officers union voted to give up 9% of their pensions to keep their jobs. the deal guarantees there will be no layoffs for at least four years as well as no furloughs and the rehiring of 22 officers. which will save the city $65 million. traffic and weather is coming up. >> the commute through marin has been slow, sausalito approaching th

and liftoff. the final liftoff of atlantis. >> reporter: the shuttle atlantis, rocketed into the cloudy, florida sky. >> the space shuttle spreads its wings, one final time for the start of this sentimental journey into history. >> reporter: at the kennedy space center, there were cheers and some tears for the 135th and final mission. >> it's one of the most amazing things i have ever seen in my entire life. i'm so emotional. >> i was crying. there's no doubt about it. i can't help it. >> reporter: for this 36th strip to -- trip to the space station, only four astronauts journeyed, instead of the usual six or seven. this time, there is no backup shuttle in case of emergency. it's up to the russians to provide any rescue. just before liftoff, shuttle commander, christopher ferguson paid tribute to everyone at nas a. >> the shuttle is always going to be a reflection of what a nation can do when it dares to be bold. >> reporter: once atlantis returns to earth in 12 days, they'll be out of work. and t

seconds to liftoff. all in all, a perfect liftoff for space shuttle "atlantis." we have coverage, next good afternoon, i'm wendy rieger in for jim handly. >> i'm pat lawson muse. the final flight in a minute. but first this afternoon, our area is under a severe thunderstorm watch. >> all eyes on the sky here. the rain started about an hour ago. let's get the latest from doug. >> it is really coming down out there in some locations. flash flood watch across most of the entire area, but a flash flood warning for most of maryland, including montgomery county, howard county, frederick, washington, carol, and baltimore county. they are seeing some very heavy rain right now. you can see that rain on the radar. the only severe thunderstorm right now is down towards culpeper. that is going to move through southern portions of culpeper county. but we're watching that line, as well, as it makes its way into the area. the entire region under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9:00 tonight. a couple of zooms here, and the first zoom we'll take you to is the one that does show

momo heavy thunderstorms are expected today and that could force nasa to scrub the liftoff. it will bring the shuttle program to an end, a bittersweet day >> that's a perfect word. we do heap it goes well. we'll keep you posted. >>> taking a look at this morning's weather from all around the country not just florida looking at heavy rain, hail, high winds from the mid-atlantic to the carolinas. kentucky and tennessee, such of the same for the dakotas and northern rockies. showers and thunderstorms in the four corners region. vegas and southern california, scattered showers in the upper midwest and northeast. >> comfortable 83 in new york. 75 in boston and 90s from baltimore to new orleans. mostly 80s from detroit to fargo. dallas heats up to 103 and phoenix tops that at 108. 92 in sacramento and 83 in boise. >> coming up, how the world markets are reacting to the high expectations of today's monthly jobs report. >>> and it might be only the start of summertime but back-to-school sales are already in full swings. why stores are offering up sales now. >>> overseas markets are

the final liftoff of atlantis. >> it's the end of an era. we begin with breaking news as atlantis blasts off for its final mission into space. we have our correspondent there live with a special report moments from now. this launch was nearly a washout. skies were dark as people lined up just to get near the media lot. no green light until one hour before launch. as you can imagine this is a mission of emotion for the four-member crew climbing towards outer space. >> a lot of people will be looking at this like no other. we're honored to be a part of it. >> fans are packing the space center as well as the air and space museum all watching history in the making. a look at the excitement and emotion for local nasa employees as well as visitors. first we want to get straight over to the storm watch. bracing for heavy thunderstorms. a flass flood watch went into effect and brian van de graaff is tracking all this. >> live in the weather center keeping our eye to the sky. a lot of moisture to our west. converging overhead will bring potential for

. >>> just over two hours till liftoff hopefully. our crews at kennedy space center will keep monitoring the launch preps and weather for us as to stick with us of nasa very last schultz mission. >>> a fan at a texas rangers game was with his young son and he died after falling out of the stands head-first. it was about 20 feet to the ground right there. he was actually trying to catch a foul ball that tossed his way by star outfielder josh hamilton. a fan sitting nearby there talked about what he saw. >> the ball hit his hand. it threw him off balance. he went head-first. i think it was just -- it was -- it was not -- it looked awful because you knew no way he was going to, you know, land on his feet. he had to -- he disappeared so you couldn't see anything, but the way he fell, it looked like it was just straight on his head. >> players in the oakland a's bull pen said the man was conscious as he was carried out on a stretcher. he even asked somebody to check on his son. something like this also happened last july at the rangers ba

and liftoff. the final liftoff of the planet. >>> a sentimental journey into space.asa's final shuttle launch is impacting hundreds of people in maryland. >>> thousands of names on a petition drive could lead to millions at the polls. coming up, the next step in the battle over giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. >> i'm gigi barnett. that story coming up. >>> check in for more on these stories and all the day's breaking news. >> eyewitness news at 5:00 starts now. >>> i'm kai jackson. >> and i'm jessica

>>> on the broadcast tonight, liftoff. >> the final liftoff of "atlantis." >> the final flight, this was it, that's the end of the u.s. manned space program as we know it. a successful launch while on the ground, hundreds of thousands of people thrilled to witness history. >>> help wanted. bad news on jobs today and signs of a backsliding economic. the question is, is there any good economic news buried in the figures? >>> making history, one woman shatters the barriers tonight. >>> and in california, here they come, the royals are the stars of hollywood tonight. >>> also tonight, if you live near it, you know it's coming, it's called carmageddon and it's just days away. it's called carmageddon and it's just days away. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> good evening. it was visible in the sky for about a minute and then it was gone. they're in earth orbit now and while the crew is at work, while looking down on all of us from that window, what they can't say perhaps is the 50 years of hit riding along with them. the early test pilots with the

and liftoff, the final liftoff of "atlantis" on the shoulders of the space shuttle, america will continue the dream. >> roger, roll, "atlantis". >> houston now -- >> she's climbing beautifully here. everything is on -- everything is on course. she's climbing beautifully. here is rob from mission control. >> 24 seconds into the flight, roll program complete, "atlantis" now heads down, wings alignme alignment. 40 seconds in -- >> reporter: this onboard camera -- >> throttling back to 72% of rated performance in the bucket, reducing stress on the shuttle as it go transsonic for the final time. >> reporter: everything running perfectly. >> standing by for the throttle up call. >> reporter: she's programmed over, everything, she's head in up the eastern seaboard. stand by, daytona beach, here comes the farewell flight of "atlantis". >> "atlantis" go at tluhrottle , no action dpdt. >> the call from capcom -- >> reporter: our colleague, jim oberg. >> no action required. >> reporter: jim oldberg in mission control reporting she's now 46 miles off daytona, 17 miles high. >> 16 miles down rage from

>>> phenyl liftoff. atlantis gets ready for its last launch, but will weather delay the mission? >>> and don't burn your bridges. pennsylvania blows up a bridge that stood for over a century. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> hello, and a very good morning to you. i'm veronica de la cruz. >> today we begin with hard bargaining. that's what president obama has in mind for congressional leaders. while the president called yesterday's bubbling talks at the white house constructive, it appears there is still a lot of hard work ahead before any deal gets done. nbc's michelle franzen has more. >> reporter: raising the stakes, but still no deal on raising the nation's debt ceiling following president obama's meeting with house and senate leaders. the president said republicans and democrats will work through the weekend. >> everybody acknowledged that there's going to be pain involved politically on all sides, but our biggest obligation is to make sure that we're doing the right thing by the american people. >> reporter: lawmakers have until august 2nd to keep the govern

liftoff. >> it was a full house at the space and science center. thousands of people filled the theater for a bittersweet watch. >> this is the last shuttle launch of and since america doesn't have a replacement vehicle, how long will it be before we get back into space? >> the end of the space program ace tough sell for some people. some people are not quite sure how it can be over. >>> we are learning more information on at that time jake plane crash in watsonville. it turns out there were four people on board, two adults and two children when it slammed into the side of a medical building. allie rasmus joins us now from the crash site. >> reporter: i want to share with you that we have just learned the names of the victims of that crash. a family member sent us a photo of them. they are david and dede haughton of santa cruz. they were killed in this crash. so were their sons, ryan and luke. they were on board of this plane that we're going to show you right here. this is where federal investigators are right now. they plan to be here for most of

. >> two, one, zero, and liftoff!ff of "atlantis" on the shoulders of the space shuttle. america will continue the dream. >> the site of history, there it goes. "atlantis" lifted off yesterday morning. there are four astronauts on board. they call themselves the final four. the shuttle will link up with the international space shuttle tomorrow morning ppg certainly a sight to see. >>> so the final mission is under way. and in 30 years of shuttle flights, so what is next for nasa? our josh levs is here to show us the future. josh, they're not closing up shop just yet the message that nasa is getting out there is they're still working to get people out of space. they're insisting that the united states is still going to send astronauts into space. they're talking about the new technologies they're working on. nasa is saying this thing right here is the flagship of the next generation space fleet pushing the envelope of spaceflight. it's called a multi-purpose crew vehicle. it could fit four astronauts and take them on 2

t-10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 -- all three engines up and burning -- 2, 1, zero and liftoff!the final liftoff of "atlantis" on the shoulders of the space shuttle america will continue the dream. >> over to you, houston. >> roger, roll, "atlantis." >> houston is now controlling the flight of "atlantis," and the space shuttle spreads its wings for one final time for the sentimental journey into history. 24 seconds into the flight, roll program is complete and "atlantis" heads down on the wings level on the proper into space. hardware and humans taking flight to the international space station. >> sentimental journey into history. and we will talk about that. brooke baldwin is at the kennedy space center complex, and estimates of over 1 million people watching in area, and brooke, what did you see from there? it is pretty amazing. >> it was spectacular. it is emotional. i grew up wanting to be an astronaut, and this is a dream assignment to cover this launch here. and linda johnston i met just after it launched, and i know that the tears are dry, and i see you welling up now, bu

and we have liftoff. liftoff of america's first space shuttle.cheers and applause] and the shuttle has cleared the tower. >> reporter: it captured the imagination of a generation. from the moment columbia first soared into space, the shuttle has been at the center of u.s. space exploration. >> everything looks real good. >> the first test flight, a two-day mission circling the earth 36 times before landing at edwards air force base in california. >> touchdown. >> roll three is ready. >> eighteen months later, columbia's first operational mission deploys two commercial satellites into space. in 1983 a second shuttle join nasa's fleet. >> lit i haveoff of the orr litter challenger and the six t flight of the space shuttle. >> challenger's maiden voyage marking the first shot. >> got a good shot of mother earth behind you. >> challenger later carries the first woman into orbit and the first african-american. in the mid '80s the shuttle program continues to grow. >> the first flight of the discovery. >> with the addition of the shuttles discovery and

and even, "houston, we've got a problem," -- >> the final liftoff. >> reporter: the liftoff on julyt. as the clouds above cape canaveral closed around t ts 135th and final launch of the space shuttle, it was the end f america doing what it has done for more than 50 years. and that is human space exploration. man in orbit. man on the moon. man driving around on the moon. woman in orbit inside the shuttle. man in orbit outside the shuttle. it has been a long, dramatic ride. and for a time, at least, it was one that we were willing, most of us, to pay for. and some of us had to pay with our lives. america's astronaut program lost 21 men and women, either on missions or in training from missions. and though there was compensation in the early days in the form of public adoration, the pay itself was never very good, nor were the hours, nor, very often, the working conditions, dh were cramped, at best. but then, these people got to be apart of history. they also got the spectacular views out the window. and, a sensation unmatchable of the kind that astronaut andy thomas told "nightline" a

>>> final liftoff. "atlantis" gets ready for its last launch, but will weather delay the mission? >>> and they're off. bulls on the loose again in the streets of spain. very good morning to you. i'm veronica de la cruz. this is "first look" on msnbc. >>> we begin this morning with hard bargaining. that's what president obama has in mind for a special sunday session with congressional leaders. while the president called yesterday's budget talks at the white house constructive, it's said there's still a lot of hard work ahead before any deal gets done. michelle franzen has more. >> reporter: raising the stakes, but still no deal on raising the nation's debt ceiling following president obama's meeting with house and senate leaders. >> everybody knows that there's going to be pain involved politically on all sides, but our biggest obligation is to make sure that we're doing the right thing by the american people. >> lawmakers have until august 2nd to keep the government from defaulting on loans. before the meeting house speaker john boehner once again said raising taxes is not an opti

manuel gallegus on the emotional last liftoff. >> 2, 1, 0, and liftoff, the final liftoff of atlantis! >> reporter: the shuttle atlantis rocketed into the cloudy florida sky. >> space shuttle spreads its wings one final time for the start of a sentimental journey into history. >> reporter: at the kennedy space center, there were cheers and some tears for the 135th and final mission. >> it's one of the most amazing things i have ever seen in my entire life. i'm so emotional. >> i was crying. there is no doubt about it. i can't help it. >> reporter: for this 36th trip to the space station, only four astronauts journeyed instead of the usual six or seven. this time, there is no backup shuttle in case of emergency. it's up tout russians to provide -- it's up to the russians to provide any rescue. the shuttle commander paid tribute to everyone at nasa. >> the shuttle is always going to be a reflection of what a great nation can do when it dares to be bold. >> reporter: for thousands of nasa employees, once atlantis returns to earth in 12 days they will be out of work and the job losses rea

liftoff is one step closer if the weather allows.f the things -- this by y e way is our question of the day, wnnfans.com. a lot of people weighing in about whether they're sad to see the shuttle program ending, what this means to transition to the next stage. it troubles some folks to see that the u.s. manned spaceflight program is basically going to be run by the russians. if you want to get up to the international space station after this it's going to be on board a soyuz. that's troublesome for some folks after seeing its legacy. >> it's a bit of history for us with jfk starting this space program. really putting his weight behind it, which is how it really got going. in such a short amount of time it's amazing how much was accomplished. >> we'll see what's next. could be exciting. >>> we're following a developing story in michigan where seven people have been killed in a shooting rampage. police in grand rapids say the suspected gunman in the case has now committed suicide. the tragedy began to unfold when police found four peopl

really engines up and burning two one zero and liftoff the final liftoff of atlantis it's on the shoulders of the space shuttle america will continue the dream. that ran it. used to now controlling the flight of atlantis the space shuttle spreads its wings one final time for the start of the summer mental journey into history. twenty four seconds into the flight world program complete atlantis now heads down wings level on the proper alignment for it's a definite ride to orbit four and a half million pounds of hardware and humans taking aim on the international space station. forty seconds into the flight the three liquid fuel main engines throttling back to seventy two percent average of four minutes in the bucket reducing stress on the shuttle as it goes trans sonic for the final time. the engines now revving up standing by for the throttle up call. were watching live pictures of the space shuttle atlantis lifting off for a final time thirty years and one hundred thirty five missions after the space shuttle program started this is the end of it as it launches off into history bringing a

. >>> two, one, zero, and liftoff. the final liftoff of "atlantis" on the shoulder of the space shuttle, america will continue the dream. >> history in the making, there it is. this goes "atlantis." the final shuttle mission lifted off yesterday morning. there are four astronauts on board, they call themselves, fittingly, the final four. this morning, they are using censors on the shuttle's boom arm to check out the heat shield to see if there was any damage during the launch. the shuttle is expected to dock with the international space station tomorrow morning. certainly a sight to see there. >>> you know, the temperatures will be climbing along the gulf coast and southeastern u.s. today. it's a hot one out there, reynolds. >> yeah, it's going to be ridiculous. parts of the country, it's going to be in the triple digits, but with the humidity, it kind of adds insult to injury. it's going to feel even warmer for a lot of people. do you ever wear those shoes, they used to call them jellies. >> i think crocs are the new

and liftoff. >> reporter: nearly a million enraptured spectators gazed up at that sun-bright torch in the sky as they did 30 years ago, cramming roadsides, beaches and parks to watch the shuttle roar into space. capping three decades of engineering triumph. >> america's first space shuttle. >> the final liftoff of "atlantis." >> and two tragedies. >> obviously a major malfunction. >> reporter: the "challenger" exploded just after blastoff in 1986. and "columbia" disintegrated upon reentry in 2003. one reason why every mission has been filled with suspension. and, today, "atlantis" and its crew aboard almost never left the ground. yesterday, this lightning struck right near the launch pad. and today, t-minus 31 sesends -- we just hear, josh, sorry, that there is some sort of failure. the launch delayed until the very last second. but with that technical glitch fixed, off it went. >> america will continue the dream. >> reporter: shoulder to shoulder, they watched. >> i got teary-eyed. my eyes teared up a little bit. it was emotional for me. >> it's awesome. just screaming and hollering.

there's only a 30% chance the skies will be clear for liftoff. it's scheduled for 11:26 a.m. but nasa managers gave the okay for fueling the shuttle a few hours ago. the 12 day mission is the last for the space shuttle program. let's off without a hitch. >> what does it look like tucker? >> low clouds and light rain in the area, the winds are light and that's good news. but they're going to have to get some improvement in the next couple of hours i think it's going to go off yeah. >> we'll be watching and also talking with a veteran nasa -- i guess they're all nasa, but astronaut. later in the 8:00 hour. so -- >> maybe he and/or she will have more insight about what kind of conditions. let's get to our weather because we have a lot to talk about here and right to hd radar. later today. the potential for very heavy rain. you can see it developing to the west and eastern ohio and another little batch that's now each of richmond. but that's just fired up in the last hour or so and this is all because of some subtropical moisture, some tropical moisture across the northern gulf i

and even, houston, we've got a problem. >> the final liftoff of "atlantis." >> reporter: the liftofft. as the clouds above cape canaveral closed around this 135th and final launch of the space shuttle it was the end of america doing what it's done for more than 50 years. it has been a long, dramatic ride and for a time at least it was one that we were willing, most of us, to pay for. and some of us had to pay with our lives. america's astronaut program lost 21 men and women either on missions or in training from missions. and though t there was compensation in the early days in the form of public adoration, the pay itself was never very good nor were the hours, nor very often the working conditions, which were cramped at best. but then these people got to be a part of history. they also got these spectacular views out the window, a view that no one will be seeing from a u.s. spacecraft again for quite a while. for a time president bush still kept alive the notion of getting to the moon, president obama for economic reasons nixed that so for the short term, at least, u.s. astronauts m

. >>> liftoff.he final liftoff of "atlantis." >> astronauts aboard space shuttle "atlantis" attaching a large storage canister to the international space station. the supplies consist of food, clothes and other provisions, enough to keep the station operating for another year. a space walk is planned to retrieve a broken ammonia pump and attach a robotic refueling experiment to the space station. "atlantis" is the last of nasa's three remaining shuttles to be retired of this flight. >>> royal couple are back home in england of their whirlwind north american tour. the duke and dutch ses receiving the hollywood treatment during their three day los angeles visit. after a day of playing polo, they were the stars at a bafta gala and took time out for charitable causes visiting an inner city arts program on skid row and meeting with u.s. servicemen and women. this was the first joint trip to the states for the newly marleyed cmarle >>> this report is brought to you by barrett jackson. >> electric car auct

. >> liftoff, the final liftoff of atlantis. >> even from 3 miles away, it is staggeringly brought --ght. an incredible sight. any second now, here it comes. the great wave of sound. you can actually feel it inside to. huge crowds were watching an emotional side. -- sight. >> it's just meant everything to me. i wanted to see a shuttle launch more than anything. >> we came all the way from virginia. >> nine minutes to reach orbit, a spectacular start to 12 days in space. final more on today's lift off, we can go live to cape canaveral. an historic moment, people traveled from all over to see it. what was the atmosphere? >> more than a million people made their way to wave goodbye. david'sot a sense from reports, this was an experience. you do not just see it, you feel it in your buns. it was also an emotional moment. the kennedy space -- you feel it in your bones. say goodbye to atlantis was saying goodbye to an era of heroic american spaceflight. who knows what the future will hold? >> what is next? will it be in nassau leading the way? -- nasa leading the way? >> on the shoulders of

millions watched live as the shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff. on o of the solid rocket boosters was to blame. seven members died in the blast. the shuttle fleet was grounded. it took more than two years to return to space and complete one of the programs biggest successes -- the hubble space telescope. it enabled humans to peer into distant galaxies. shuttle astronauts were. the telescope five times and carried out equipment upgrades. -- shuttle astronauts repaired telescope five times and carried out equipment upgrades. in the late 1990's, it began transporting the building blocks for the international space station. it traveled to the iss more than 40 times. the shuttle was the lifeline between the spacstation and earth. by 2003, the iss was halfway done. then nasa was struck by another tragedy. colombia broke up on i retu to earth, killing all seven people on board. nasa decided to stop the program shuttle when the iss was completed. that created a logistical problem. the shuttle is the only craft capable of carrying large equipment to the is

two, one, zero and liftoff, the final liftoff of atlantis. >> reporter: shuttle "atlantis" blasted off for the very last time, the end of an era for the u.s. space program. >> houston, now controlling the flight of atlantis, space shuttle spreading its wings for the start of a sentimental journey into history. >> atlantis quickly disappeared into the clouds, not exactly the picture perfect launch spectators hoped for but a remarkable achievement for nasa. >> the 135th and final shuttle mission. >> engines revving up. >> the crew of four snapped photos this morning before suiting up and getting on board. usually six or seven astronauts fly but since this is the last mission, there's no back-up shuttle for an emergency rescue. russia will lend its soyuz rocket if the astronauts run into trouble. >> up to a million spectators gathered along coastal florida to witness the launch and be a part of u.s. space history. >> i think this is so sad that this is the last one. >> atlantis will deliver a year's worth of supply to the u.s. space station. for more than 50 years, the u.s. has been in th

. >>> all right, the final countdown is on after dozens of liftoffs and landings over three decades. we could be hours away from nasa's last shuttle launch if weather doesn't get in the way. jim has the latest for us. jim. >> reporter: from the first mission over 30 years ago, it comes down to one last launch. despite concerns about weather, nasa is preparing the shuttle atlantis for liftoff friday morning. >> we finished our final preps and checkouts. they all went well and completing all of our final inspections as we make sure those are con figured and ready for flight. >> reporter: so far in 134 missions, the five shuttles have taken 355 astronauts into space. traveling over half a billion miles, building the international space station, and turning the heroic into the routine. the final mission will take four astronauts. all shuttle veterans into space for 12 days where they will deliver supplies to the international space station. >> we are delighted to be here after a very tough training. >> reporter: a new vehicle capable of taking astronauts deep into space is being planned,

space shuttle are proceeding in the state of florida despite poor weather that could delay friday's liftoff. the launch will mark the end of the 30-year shuttle program. amid occasional showers, the u.s. space agency, nasa began fueling the shuttle "atlantis" early on friday. lightning struck several times near the launch pad but the agency says the shuttle suffered no damage. the four astronauts on the final mission donned their flight suits and boarded their shuttle at the kennedy space center. so what task is the final shuttle going to carry out? nhk has the details from the kennedy space center. >> reporter: over the past 30 years, the space shuttle has delivered vast volumes of supplies and large equipment to the international space station. "atlantis" this time is carrying a device that will be used in an experiment. it will test refueling satellites to prolong their lives. this will be the last time that a device this large will be delivered into space until a new spacecraft becomes available to replace the shuttles. >> this is critical technology that needs to be demonstrated now. w

. >> space shuttle "atlantis" and its crew are ready for tomorrow's final historic liftoff. but weather could be a problem. joel brown has the latest from the kennedy space center in florida. >> reporter: rain could delay the lift shove of space shuttle "atlantis." there is only a 30% chance it will launch tomorrow. >> the clouds have rolled in. we're starting to see some showers. >> reporter: when atlantis does blast off, it will be nasa's 135th and final shuttle mission. nasa predicts up to a million spectators. the family brought their grandkids over from louisiana to watch the historic launch. >> feel as though it is history being made. we wanted to give them a chance to see it. >> usually, shuttles fly with six or seven astronauts but atlantis only has a crew of four since this is the last mission, there's no back-up shuttle on stand-by for a possible rescue. in case of an emergency, a much smaller russian soyuz rocket would retrieve americans from the international space station. one astronaut at a time. the 30 year shuttle program has had success and tragedy. "discove

. >> america will continue the dream with the space shuttle liftoff. >> the u.s.pace program reaches the end of an era with hundreds of thousands watching on. ♪ >> welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. just an hour ago, the world welcomed a new nation when the republic of south sudan officially regained -- officially gained its independence. it comes after a brutal civil war and a peace deal with the south and north. celebrations are already under way, but there are huge challenges, including continued violence along the border. >> the final march 2 independence. i will never leave my land until i die, the song heard throughout the decades of war with north sudan. and now they have their land and south sudan is born. ♪ [singing] ♪ >> with a little help the reverse of the brand new national anthem. -- they rehearse the brand new national anthem. because of the war, south sudan will start out as one of the poorest nations on the planet. >> when we were ruled by the north we had no opportunities, the village chief tells me. our children could

nbc bay area's kristen dahlgren was at kennedy space center for the final liftoff. >> reporter: theyre moments we have seen for years. today was different as "atlantis" astronauts took the final steps of the shuttle program. tension building as workers and watchers kept their eyes on the weather, hoping skies would clear for one final look at the iconic spacecraft as it raced into orbit. >> one more time -- >> reporter: after those words from the commander -- >> zero and liftoff -- >> reporter: "atlantis" lifted off from the florida coastline for the last time. >> space shuttle spreads its wings one final time for the start of a sentimental journey into history. >> reporter: along with its crew of four, "atlantis" is carrying a 30-year legacy. >> i look at what the shuttle's done in 30 years. the hubble space telescope, magellan, ulysses, the probes, the shuttle opened up space. >> reporter: after 135 launches and more than 20,000 trips around the earth, the final shuttle flight mark the end of the program that for three decades brought america incredible highs and twice united us in

and liftoff, the final liftoff of atlantis on the shoulders of the space shuttle america will continue -- >> there it is. lifting off from kennedy space center this morning for a rendezvous with the international space station. this is nasa's 135th and last shuttle mission. >>> coming up later on 9news now, you'll see atlantis' final launch again. this time, through the eyes of a nasa astronaut watching the shuttle program begin its farewell flight. first, the dulles debate. federal officials weigh in on where the airport metro station should be built. we'll share some surprising thoughts when we return. [ female announcer ] welcome to busch gardens williamsburg, where d.c. goes to get away. maybe it's because washington d.c. loves the legendary coasters. or that your entire family will have fun, even the little ones. it could be that water country usa has more of the waves, slides and rides everyone wants. so plan your getaway and come play. you never know who you'll run into. get started at buschgardens.com/dc. >>> supporters of the below ground metro station at dulles airport have s