Last shuttle spacewalk

12/07/11 23:33 CET

world news

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Two American astronauts have completed the last-ever spacewalk of the shuttle era.

The NASA shuttle Atlantis docked at the International Space Station on Sunday in what will be its final flight.

Ron Garan and Mike Fossum floated for six-and-a-half hours.

Their mission was to move a damaged ammonia pump and install a satellite refuelling module.

President George W. Bush ordered the retirement of NASA’s shuttles in 2004 as part of a cost-cutting drive.

It is hoped private companies will step in to fund and help develop a new space vehicle.

Atlantis, along with its six crew members, heads back to Earth for the last time on the 21st of July.

More about: ISS, NASA, Space mission

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