Shuttle Atlantis preps for new home

One month from now, space shuttle Atlantis will be inside its new home.

It is the last shuttle to leave the Kennedy Space Center but it’s not going far.

Atlantis is only going 10 miles to its new home, but it will take it 11 hours to get there.

NASA gave us one last look inside the shuttle cockpit Wednesday before it’s sealed up and sent to the visitor complex.

NASA has been preparing Atlantis for its final journey and its new life -- on display inside a new $100 million building that’s currently under construction.

Workers said it has been tough to see Discovery and Endeavour leave, but they find some solace that Atlantis is staying here in Florida.

"It is like letting your child go, and move on with your life and not have any control, so that's a little hard, but Atlantis is filling that need for us, so we're  very fortunate to keep her here," said Shuttle Transition Director Stephanie Stilson.

Also, some shuttle workers found out Wednesday, after nearly 30 years at the space center that they were being let go.

Atlantis will be moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building in two weeks.

On Nov. 2, Atlantis will be moved down the road to the visitor complex, taking a longer route to show it off and also avoid some guard shacks and overpasses.

“It’s a little bit different than the fly out, but none the less significant as we mark the last shuttle to leave Kennedy Space Center, thankfully not too far away, just right around the corner at the visitor complex,” said KSC Visitor Complex spokeswoman Andrea Farmer.

Atlantis will be displayed like it’s soaring through space, with its payload bay open. The display is expected to be open to the public by July 4, 2013.

The shuttle is expected to draw one million visitors a year and will be the only space shuttle to remain in Florida.

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