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ISS News

Adieu Atlantis

The Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:48 this morning, bringing to a close Mission STS-132, its final flight. Atlantis is returning Canadian white spruce trees to Earth after growing in space for about 30 days in an experiment that will benefit the forest industry. The Shuttle's crew will also undergo the ultimate tickle test when several of them submit their soles to science for the Canadian Hypersole experiment.

STS-132 also marked Canadarm2's 27th mission since its installation on the International Space Station in 2001. The robotic arm has assisted in a total of 92 spacewalks and unloaded 41 payloads ferried by the Space Shuttle.