Space shuttle comes to 'final stop' after 30 years MARCIA DUNN,AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Atlantis and four astronauts returned from the International Space Station in triumph Thursday, bringing an end to NASA's 30-year shuttle journey with one last, rousing touchdown that drew cheers and tears. A record crowd of 2,000 gathered near the landing strip, thousands more packed Kennedy Space Center and countless others watched from afar as NASA's longest-running spaceflight program came to a close. "After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle's earned its place in history.