NASA: April 29 for next-to-last shuttle launch

April 19, 2011

NASA: April 29 for next-to-last shuttle launch

By MARCIA DUNN , AP Aerospace Writer

In this Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 file picture, the space shuttle Endeavour is transported from the Orbital Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building where the orbiter will be connected to the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Spaceflight managers gathered Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at the Kennedy Space Center and set April 29, 2011 as the launch date for Endeavour's final voyage. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

(AP) -- NASA's next-to-last space shuttle flight is set to begin late next week.

Spaceflight managers gathered Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and set April 29 as the launch date for Endeavour's final voyage.

The two-week mission will be led by Mark Kelly, the astronaut husband of wounded congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. He is awaiting doctors' permission for his wife to attend the launch.

Giffords was shot in Tucson, Ariz., three months ago.

Endeavour will fly to the International Space Station. The crew of six will deliver a $2 billion particle physics experiment.

Liftoff time is 3:47 p.m. It will be the 134th shuttle mission overall and the 25th for Endeavour, NASA's youngest shuttle.

More information: NASA:

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