Space Shuttle Atlantis Embarks on its Final Mission

Image credit: NASA TV

On its final 12-day flight, Atlantis, with six astronauts, will fly to the International Space Station to leave behind a Russian Mini Research Module, a set of batteries for the station's truss and dish antenna, along with other replacement parts.

Twenty museums are bidding to acquire the Discovery, Endeavor and Atlantis shuttles, when they are retired in early 2011.

NASA is expected to announce the winners of the competition in early July.