Atlantis touches down, ending US shuttle era

Atlantis safely touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, bringing an end to the 30-year US shuttle program.

"Having fired the imagination of a generation, a ship like no other, its place in history secured, the space shuttle pulls into port for the last time, its voyage at an end," said mission control as the shuttle and its four-member US crew landed at 5:57 am (0957 GMT).

"After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle has earned its place in history," said shuttle commander Chris Ferguson after Atlantis landed on the runway. "It has come to a final stop."

"We have a lot of emotions today but one thing is indisputable, America is not going to stop exploring," Ferguson added as Atlantis ended its 33rd and final mission and the last-ever shuttle flight.

"God bless all of you, God bless the United States of America."

Atlantis and its four-member US crew just finished a nearly 13-day mission to the International Space Station aimed at restocking the oribiting lab with a year's worth of supplies.