liftoff of Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-132 mission. This powerful launch took place on May 14, 2010, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and the energy, the roar, and the sheer beauty of human engineering are just breathtaking. STS-132 carried a hardworking crew and the important Mini-Research Module-1 (Rassvet) to the International Space Station. It was one of Atlantis’ final missions before retirement, making this launch even more historic. Just watching this liftoff reminds you how fa

Space shuttle Atlantis and the STS-132 crew begin the journey to the International Space Station on May 14, 2010. | Amazing SPACE

STS-132 Atlantis lifted off 10 years ago on the 15th of May. #nasa #spaceshuttle #spaceshuttleprogram #sts #spacetransportationsystem #space #shuttle #science #astronomy #aviation #aerospace #engineering #aerospaceengineering #rocket #spacecraft #instagood #cool #awesome #picoftheday #photooftheday #photography #spaceshuttleatlantis #sts132 #liftoff #launch #history #otd #onthisday | SpaceX

The NASA space shuttle Challenger exploded 40 years ago, on January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after liftoff. The disaster claimed the lives of all seven astronauts aboard, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire who would have been the first civilian in space. “The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives,” President Regan said in an address to the nation that night. “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them,

On January 28th, 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and broke apart on take off. This week, Destruction Decoded explores the top 10 most dramatic space accidents, from Baikonur to Cape Canaveral. Watch Destruction Decoded on Wednesdays at 8pm, on National Geographic UK. | National Geographic UK