FINAL LANDING: Space shuttle Atlantis is seen in this still from
a video camera on the exterior of the International Space
Station after the two spacecraft undocked on July 19, 2011,
during the final shuttle mission STS-135. It was the last time a
NASA shuttle cast off from the orbiting lab. Image: NASA TV
NASA's space shuttles have racked up an amazing set of
accomplishments over the last 30 years, not to mention the miles
and statistics. But after three decades and 135 flights, the era
of the NASA space shuttle is at an end. The final shuttle
flight, NASA's STS-135 mission aboard Atlantis, will land
Thursday (July 21) to cap a 13-day trip that delivered supplies
and spare parts to the International Space Station. [Photos:
Shuttle Bids Farewell to Space Station] With NASA's reusable
space plane fleet retiring, here is a by-the-numbers look at the
iconic 30-year spaceflight icon: $209 Billion: The estimated
total cost of NASA's 30-year space shuttle program from
development through its retirement. 3,513,638: