Shuttle Atlantis is set to launch on July 8 at 11:26 a.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch pad technicians are in the process of closing out the shuttle's payload bay in preparation for the liftoff, reported NASA.

The Atlantis space shuttle mission will last for 12 days, during which 8,000 pounds of spare parts will be delivered to the International Space Station. The shuttle will also test whether it is possible to robotically refuel existing orbiting satellites.

Atlantis will be NASA's last space shuttle launch ever. Between 500,000 and 750,000 people are expected to show up along the Space Coast in Florida to watch the July 8 event, according to NASA, reported VOA.

We are very honored to be in this position there's many people who could be here. We just happened to win the dice fell you know our names were facing up. So we consider ourselves fortunate, lucky, said mission commander Chris Ferguson.

The US Space Shuttle Program (STS) was launched 1972 by President Richard Nixon. In total, 134 flights were made.

The program is being retired after decades of service to originally make way for Project Constellation, which sought to possibly go to Mars, among other things. However, this project has been canceled.

Now, four private companies are competing to be the successors of the Space Shuttle Program, according to WESH TV.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-132 and part of the International Space Station are seen while the two spacecraft remain docked in this NASA handout photo dated May 17, 2010.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-132) and part of the International Space Station are seen while the two spacecraft remain docked in this NASA handout photo dated May 17, 2010. Reuters
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen from the International Space Station ISS during rendezvous and docking operations in this NASA handout photo dated October 9, 2002.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen from the International Space Station (ISS) during rendezvous and docking operations in this NASA handout photo dated October 9, 2002. Reuters
Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-132 lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in this NASA handout photo dated May 14, 2010.
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-132) lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in this NASA handout photo dated May 14, 2010. Reuters
Space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 crew L to R mission specialist Rex Walheim, mission specialist Sandra Magnus, pilot Douglas Hurley and commander Christopher Ferguson depart crew quarters for launch pad 39A during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test
Space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 crew (L to R) mission specialist Rex Walheim, mission specialist Sandra Magnus, pilot Douglas Hurley and commander Christopher Ferguson depart crew quarters for launch pad 39A during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 23, 2011. Reuters
Managers give Atlantis a quotgoquot for launch during the conclusion of the STS-135 Flight Readiness Review at NASA039s Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Managers give Atlantis a "go" for launch during the conclusion of the STS-135 Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida NASA
Space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 L to R mission specialist Rex Walheim, mission specialist Sandra Magnus, pilot Douglas Hurley and commander Christopher Ferguson pose for a photo in the flame trench of launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Ca
Space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 (L to R) mission specialist Rex Walheim, mission specialist Sandra Magnus, pilot Douglas Hurley and commander Christopher Ferguson pose for a photo in the flame trench of launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 22, 2011. Reuters
The space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 commander Christopher Ferguson C shoots video with pilot Douglas Hurley on the 195 level of the rotating service structure for emergency egress training, during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test at launch pad 3
The space shuttle Atlantis STS-135 commander Christopher Ferguson (C) shoots video with pilot Douglas Hurley on the 195 level of the rotating service structure for emergency egress training, during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test at launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 22, 2011. Reuters
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