Space shuttle Atlantis aims for Wednesday morning touchdown - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Space shuttle Atlantis aims for Wednesday morning touchdown

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis has sailed past the 120 million-mile mark in space and is set for a Wednesday morning touchdown to end its flying career.

To everyone's relief, the predicted rain seems to be staying away.

Mission Control says "It's looking pretty favorable right now."

Landing is set for 7:48 a.m. CST.

The lead flight directors for the space station construction mission -- and NASA's third-to-last shuttle journey -- have arrived from Houston to welcome Atlantis and its six astronauts home.

Shortly after midnight Wednesday morning, Atlantis logged its 120-millionth mile in space, accumulated over 32 flights and 25 years.

Only two shuttle missions remain, by NASA's two other spaceships. 

 

 

NASA is pushing for one more flight for Atlantis, which would need White House approval.

 

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