On July 8th at 11:29 AM Eastern Time (July 9, 12:29 AM JST), space shuttle Atlantis was launched from Florida's Kennedy Space Center for the final time. Atlantis is a major symbol of world space travel, but due to deterioration and high maintenance costs, it was decided that it would take a final flight after 30 years of service. Joining the astronauts for this history-making� journey is a picture of actors Oguri Shun and Okada Masaki, who star in the upcoming movie 'Uchuu Kyoudai'.

Oguri commented, "[Even though it's only a picture], I am happy that our dream of going into space as brothers has come true. I'm praying that the final shuttle will have a safe return". Okada said, "I won't give up hoping that one day maybe we too can go up into space".

It may not sound like much to bring a photo into space. However, this shuttle is bringing new parts, lab equipment, and other supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) and surrounding satellites. More than 2.5 million parts are needed to service these machines, which are called 'the most complex structures made by man'. Until now, not a single extra item, not even a photo, could be brought into space (except an astronaut's personal items).

This time around, the addition of the photo was made possible by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), who operates the privately-owned Japanese research center 'Kibou' within the ISS. A supplier of space structure parts and supporter of space development, LaGrange (based in Tokyo) arranged for the stars' picture to be added to the shuttle's cargo. According to a LaGrange employee, "In a time when our country is darkened by the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, we wanted to send up our hopes on this final shuttle flight". Atlantis is the only shuttle out of five currently in operation that has never taken a Japanese astronaut into space, making Oguri and Okada's photos the first-ever Japanese "travelers" on the shuttle.



The movie 'Uchuu Kyoudai' follows the story of two brothers who dream of becoming astronauts together. For this final flight, the 'Uchuu Kyoudai' were allowed only 2g of space for two photos. The images, taken on the 1st of the month on the first day of shooting, are now safe inside Atlantis' mid-deck locker.

Atlantis will soon dock at the ISS where Japanese astronaut Furukawa Satoshi is staying, and after the astronauts complete their missions, the shuttle will return to the Kennedy Space Center on the morning of July 20th (night-time in Japan). July 20th will mark the 42nd anniversary of the first successful moon-landing.

'Uchuu Kyoudai' is directed by Mori Yoshitaka and is set for a Spring 2012 release.

Source + Photos: Oricon