Shuttle Atlantis Makes Final Landing

Atlantis made its way back to Earth early Thursday morning, ending NASA’s 30-year shuttle program.

After the shuttle safely touched down at the Kennedy space center at 5:57 a.m. ET, over 100 people filled the mission control space for an emotional outpouring, according to CNN.

“The space shuttle changed the way we view the world, the way we view the universe,” said Atlantis commander Chris Ferguson in a press conference. “America’s not going to stop exploring. Thanks for protecting us and bringing this program to a fitting end.”