NASA fuels Atlantis for end-of-era spaceflight

NASA fuels Atlantis for end-of-era spaceflight

Atlantis is poised to blaze a path into history Friday when it propels toward the heavens on the last-ever mission of the 30-year-old American space shuttle program.

The crew of four US astronauts boarded the shuttle as NASA kept a close eye on the gloomy weather forecasts, which have predicted rain, clouds and a 70 percent likelihood of a delay in the launch planned for 11:26am (1526 GMT).

Atlantis’s 12-day mission to the International Space Station marks the end of an era in human spaceflight, after which the United States will rely on Russia to send astronauts to space until a replacement US capsule can be built.

‘The beginning of the end of the space shuttle era is this morning,’ said NASA spokesman Allard Beutel.

At least 7,50,000 people have descended on Florida, with tourists eager to grab a glimpse of the final launch, but nostalgia has mingled with bitterness among the thousands of NASA employees set to lose their jobs.

First Muslim Miss USA '2011

Reign of first Muslim Miss USA to end at Las Vegas pageant tonight

    A terrorist organization have come tonight, the next Miss USA will likely face more questions about her beauty secrets than whether she's tied and reign of Rima Fakih, the current title holder and first Muslim-American successor at the 2011 Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas.

          During her tenure, Fakih, 25, who was born in Lebanon, repeatedly faced questions about her ethnic and religious identity.

          Fakih flatly denied the allegation, calling it the product of a blogger who had made it up "out of her prejudiced mind."

          "I'd like to say I'm American first, and I am an Arab-American," Fakih said. "I am Lebanese-American, and I am Muslim-American."

          Miss Universe pageant Fakih not only stood up for herself, she lent moral and vocal support to another Muslim beauty contestant, Great Britain.

          Those were taken during a radio station competition in which no clothes were removed, Fakih said.

          There were those pictures of her standing next to a stripper's pole circulating around the Internet that Fakih had to explain.