The Space Shuttle’s Impact on Pop Culture

With Atlantis set to be the last shuttle flight ever, <cite>Wired</cite> looks back at the highs, lows and heart of the space-shuttle era.

The space shuttle era is officially over. After 130 missions spanning four decades, its scientific legacy may be mixed, but the role it played in pop culture (and in our hearts) will never be in doubt.

Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the time line to view the 34-year history of the shuttle program.

*Credits: NASA; Fox; MTV; Pipe: Tobacco Barn; Lego: Bill Abbott; *Buck Rogers, Moonraker, Airplane II, Rock, Armageddon, Space Cowboys: Everett Collection