NASA fuels space shuttle Atlantis for final voyage

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA is fueling space shuttle Atlantis for its final journey.

Atlantis is set to blast off Friday afternoon with six astronauts and a load of supplies for the International Space Station.

Forecasters say there's a 70 percent chance the weather will cooperate. Launch time is 2:20 p.m.

Fueling operations began before dawn Friday, just as the astronauts were waking up.

The 12-day mission is the last one for Atlantis. Only two other flights remain by NASA's two other shuttles, before they're all retired.

Atlantis rocketed into orbit for the first time in 1985. This will be its 32nd trip.

The shuttle is loaded with fresh batteries and a Russian-built compartment for the space station.