Atlantis leaves space station
Space shuttle Atlantis has left the International Space Station for the last time.
Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station . The two spacecraft were soaring nearly 250 miles above the Pacific when they parted company early today - forever.
The space shuttle and its crew of four are due back on Earth on Thursday. Their Florida homecoming will mark the end of Nasa's 30-year shuttle era.
Atlantis left behind a year's worth of supplies, as well as a commemorative shuttle model and a US flag which flew on the first shuttle mission in 1981.
Atlantis will join Discovery and Endeavour in retirement after its 13-day journey, the 135th for the shuttle programme. All three will become museum displays.
