NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis blast off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday, marking an end to America’s 30 years of space shuttle missions.

It was Atlantis’ 33rd flight and NASA’s 135th space shuttle mission. America’s commercial space vehicles are expected to come on line sometime in 2016. In-between, America will depend on Russia to send astraunouts and equipment to space.

Speaking on the topic, Larry Wilkinson said, “It’s a sad state of affairs that we have to depend on Russia to get into space for the next several years. We should have had a replacement ready.”

America will now focus on deep space exploration, with special attention on Mars.

Atlantis will deliver load of about 4,000 kg, including food supplies for around one year, to the International Space Station. Atlantis’ crew is comprised of Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus.

Atlantis will dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, and will remain there for around 12 days before returning Earth to be retired to a museum.