At 5:57:54 a.m EDT the orbiter Atlantis came to a wheels stop at the Kennedy Space Center runway 15 marking the end of the Space Shuttle era.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is soliciting ideas and interest for their Technology Transfer Programme (TTP). Since 1979 Canada has had a cooperating agreement with ESA meaning Canadians could participate in some ESA programs. The TTP is one such program where Canadians can participate in.

The Canadian Space Agency has extended the deadline for the the Exploration Core Concept Studies from August 10th to August 23rd.

Early Tuesday morning Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station, the last time an orbiter will do that. On Thursday morning at 5:56 a.m EDT Atlantis will land at the Kennedy Space Center marking the end of an era, the Space Shuttle era.

On July 6th The US House Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill which includes NASA funding. Under the Science budget line item was the note “The bill terminates funding for the James Webb Space Telescope, which is billions of dollars over budget and plagued by poor management.” If the James Webb Space Telescope funding were to be terminated it …

With the final launch of the shuttle program Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean, himself a former astronaut who flew on Atlantis, offered the following message on the 30 year old program as it comes to a close.

With a 70% chance of a weather violation the Space Shuttle Atlantis beat the odds and thrilled close to a million gathered people who waited hours to see the final launch of a Space Shuttle. (Video of launch available)

While everything is proceeding smoothly at this point in the countdown the weather is still an issue with “thick clouds” being the current problem. The White Room has just been closed out after the astronauts were securely fastened into the shuttle.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has released a public tender to fund up to six contracts worth a total of $1.5 million for concept studies related to its Exploration Core program. Proposals are due by August 10th and selected bidders will have approximately six months to complete their studies.

The Bank of Canada is issuing new bank notes made out of polymer (plastic) starting this fall. Included and scheduled for issue in 2013 is a $5 note that will include the Canadarm2 and Dextre.