科技英语新闻:Obama hails shuttle Atlantis' final flight

WASHINGTON, July 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday hailed space shuttle Atlantis' final flight in NASA's shuttle program, saying Americans across the country watched with pride as America reached for the heavens once more.

Obama expressed his "sincere gratitude" to Atlantis astronauts and space workers because they "helped our country lead the space age."

"Today's launch may mark the final flight of the space shuttle, " Obama said in a statement. "But it propels us into the next era of our never-ending adventure to push the very frontiers of exploration and discovery in space."

Friday's flight is the 33rd voyage for Atlantis. Its return to the earth later this month will mark the end of the 30-year shuttle program.

"What a truly awesome day today," said NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier at the STS- 135 postlaunch news conference. "What you saw is the finest launch team and shuttle preparation teams in the world."

"It truly was an awesome, spectacular launch," added Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, who looked ahead to plans for future development beyond the shuttle program as space station operations continue.

Atlantis will be the last shuttle to be retired. Discovery was first in March, followed by Endeavour at the beginning of June. Each shuttle will head to a museum.

When the U.S. space shuttle program officially ends later this year, the Russian space program's Soyuz capsule will be the only method for transporting astronauts to and from the station.