NASA has flown 135 missions in five shuttle since 1981. The great shuttle era will end when Atlantis returns from a 12-day mission.
The shuttle program has been spotlights of many media outlets creating stories of hope, discovery, and tragedy.
As the debate will continue over the future of space missions, let us look back on some of the highlight moments in space since 2009. Click Start to begin the slideshow:
The space shuttle Discovery is prepared for launch as the Rotating Service Structure is rolled back at launch pad 39A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape CanaveralREUTERS/Joe SkipperBride Finnegan attempts to put the ring on her bridegroom Fulmor aboard specially-equipped Boeing 727 over Gulf of Mexico after taking off from Titusville FloridaREUTERS/Phelan EbenhackBridegroom Fulmor and his bride Finnegan kiss aboard a specially-equipped Boeing 727 over Gulf of Mexico after taking off from Titusville FloridaREUTERS/Phelan EbenhackThe media gathers in a fog filled field as the sun rises at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral
REUTERS/Scott AudetteThe space shuttle Discovery STS-131 lifts off from launch pad 39 A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FloridaREUTERS/Pierre DucharmeSpace Shuttle Discovery astronaut Clayton Anderson works near the temporary home for the Ammonia Tank Assembly
REUTERS/NASA TVHubble, NASAReuters/NASAHubble, NASAReuters/NASASpace shuttle Atlantis lifts off on a mission to the International Space Station from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral
REUTERS/Pierre DucharmeThe Russian Mini-Research Module-1, named Rassvet, is removed from the Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay on its way to a new home.REUTERS/NASA TVThe Space Shuttle Atlantis is backdropped against the Earth prior to docking with the International Space StationREUTERS/NASA/HandoutThe SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on its debut launch from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida
REUTERS/Scott AudetteThe SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, FloridaREUTERS/Scott AudetteThe International Space Station is seen in this view from the space shuttle DiscoveryREUTERS/NASA/HandoutWe Have Liftoff!
NASAA person wearing a Mars suit Aouda.X prototype drives Mars rover Eurobot of the European Space Agency (ESA) during testing in the semi-desert of Rio TintoREUTERS/OeWF/Paul Santek/HandArgentine NASA team member tests space suit designed for Mars in Antarctica
REUTERS/Nasa/HandoutArgentine NASA team member tests space suit designed for Mars in AntarcticaREUTERS/Nasa/HandoutSpace shuttle Endeavour is seen with the International Space Station in the foreground as the orbiter approaches for dockingREUTERS/NASA TV (SCI TECH)NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff works outside the International Space StationREUTERS/NASA/HandoutMembers of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and International Space Station crew shake hands during hatch closing ceremonies.
REUTERS/NASA TV/Handout (SCI TThe Space Shuttle Endeavour is seen with the International Space Station in the foreground.REUTERS/NASA TV/HandoutThe space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FloridaREUTERSThe space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape CanaveralREUTERSStill image from NASA TV video shows space shuttle Endeavour Commander Kelly and ISS flight engineer Coleman participating in a news conference from aboard the station
REUTERS/NASA TV (SCI TECH)Astronauts of STS-134 pose for a group photograph shortly after landing onboard Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center in Cape CanaveralREUTERS/NASA/Bill Ingalls/HandThe space shuttle AtlantisReutersAtlantis' Maiden Launch
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