Atlantis' crew preparing for undocking

The crew of Atlantis is prepared for undocking at 11:22 a.m. before a scheduled landing at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday morning at Kennedy Space Center.

Atlantis' final mission to the International Space Station was marked by three successful spacewalks that replaced spare parts to extend the life of the station. Only two more shuttle missions remain before the program ends, which will see the layoffs of an estimated 8,000 space industry employees.

"Atlantis has been a remarkable vehicle," lead shuttle Flight Director Mike Sarafin said Saturday. "I look forward to greeting the crew of Atlantis when they get off the ship."

After undocking from the space station, Pilot Tony Antonelli will fly Atlantis around the station to inspect the manned outpost, while crews from both spacecraft photograph the historic last departure of Atlantis, which is on its 32nd flight and its 11th flight to the station.