15 Years Later: The Final NASA Space Shuttle Crew Reflects on a Historic Mission
The crew of the final NASA Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, reunited at Kennedy Space Center on July 11, 2026, to mark the 15th anniversary of their historic flight. It was a momentous occasion, as the astronauts reflected on the nearly flawless performance of Space Shuttle Atlantis during its last mission to the International Space Station in July 2011. This event was a testament to the dedication and skill of the crew, who shared memorable moments and the challenges they faced.
The crew, including Commander Christopher Ferguson, Pilot Douglas Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus, and Rex Walheim, launched aboard Atlantis on July 8, 2011, from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. After 30 years of missions, NASA’s Space Shuttle chapter had come to a close. The mission to the International Space Station lasted 13 days, landing back at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility on July 21.
Ferguson described the launch sequence as "very interesting," mentioning a "really interesting hold" that kept the crew on edge. The countdown proceeded smoothly, despite earlier weather concerns, but at T-31 seconds, the countdown was paused to check if the gaseous oxygen vent arm had fully retracted. The issue was resolved, and Atlantis launched near the end of the window.
Hurley recalled the mission as "almost flawless," praising the crew's efforts in maintaining the shuttle's excellent condition. Walheim expressed gratitude for the shuttle's performance and the people who worked to make the mission a success. However, the crew also encountered some unforgettable moments.
Hurley remembered a master alarm causing a scare about a week into the flight, as the crew was sleeping onboard Atlantis. It turned out to be a faulty computer, which required two hours of troubleshooting. Walheim, on the other hand, noted a peculiar quirk of Atlantis: when it came time for landing, the vibrations caused the bathroom door to swing open and slam against the ladder, creating a loud "bang" that echoed downstairs.
Magnus described the mission as "incredibly busy," highlighting the sheer amount of cargo moved on and off the space station. Around 8,000 pounds of supplies were transferred from the shuttle to the ISS, and about 6,000 pounds were loaded on the shuttle to return to Earth. She recalled the chaos of managing the space station's limited space, where the crew had to put bags somewhere, creating a "mess" that looked like "somebody blew up a closet."
The crew's post-shuttle careers have been diverse. Ferguson joined Boeing to work on the Starliner spacecraft program, Walheim contributed to Blue Origin's New Shepard spaceflight program, and Hurley became the senior director of strategy and business development at Northrop Grumman. Interestingly, Hurley later commanded the first crewed SpaceX Dragon mission, Demo-2, in May 2020, marking the return of crewed orbital launches from Florida for the first time since the final shuttle mission.
When asked about his preference between the space shuttle and the Dragon spacecraft, Hurley expressed a preference for the shuttle, citing the ability to fly it manually as a pilot's dream. He noted that the Dragon can fly autonomously, which is different but not as satisfying for test pilots who enjoy being in control.
This reunion at Kennedy Space Center serves as a reminder of the legacy of the Space Shuttle program and the dedication of the astronauts who pushed the boundaries of space exploration. It also highlights the challenges and triumphs of space missions, as well as the evolution of space travel, with the emergence of private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
