About Atlantis to fight diseases in Africa.

In a statement issued by leaders

Space shuttle orbiter Atlantis is one of the fleets of at the conclusion of the three-day summit, the G-8 said it
space shuttles belonging to the US National Aeronautics is still committed to resolving the Iranian nuclear issue by
and Space Administration (NASA). It was the fourth diplomatic means. Meanwhile, the G-8 leaders urged Iran
operational shuttle built following the destruction of to suspend all enrichment related and reprocessing
Columbia. It is one of the three fully operational shuttles activities and to fully co-operate with the International
remaining in the fleet. The other two are Discovery and Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The G-8 leaders also
Endeavour. Although Atlantis was scheduled to be retired voiced their support for the six party talks through which
after it completes STS-125, the final Hubble Space the international community is making efforts to solve the
Telescope Service Mission, Atlantis is now scheduled to nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The leaders urged
fly two more flights and retire in 2010 like her sister the Sudanese Government to accept an international
orbiters. peace mission designed to solve the humanitarian crisis in
the Darfur region. They underlined that there is no
Atlantis : At a Glance military solution to the conflict in Darfur. The leaders
OV Designation OV-104
also called for a prompt conclusion of the deadlocked
Doha round trade talks.
Country United States
Contract award January 29, 1979 Fact File
Named after R/V Atlantis (AGOR-25) G-8 Members
First flight STS-51-J (October 3, 1985-October
7, 1985)
Canada France
Last flight STS-117 (June 9, 2007-June 22, 2007) Germany Italy
Number of missions 28 Japan Russia
Crews 174 United Kingdom United States
Time spent in space 243992 days
On June 07, 2007 the G-8 leaders sealed a compromise
Number of orbits 3,654
on climate change which German Chancellor Markel
Distance travelled 152,534,078 km
described as a real turning point. Germany, which holds
Satellites deployed 14
the rotating, has called for actions to limit the rise in
Mir dockings 7 global temperatures to 2 degree celsius this century,
ISS dockings 8 which experts say requires a global reduction in emissions
Status Operational of 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. However, the
Atlantis made its first flight in October 1985, United States, the worlds biggest greenhouse gas
conducting classified military activities, one of five such producer, had voiced fundamental opposition to
flights. In October 1985, conducting Magellan and Galileo mandatory targets, making climate change one of the
and in 1991, it deployed the crompton Gamma Ray most controversial issues during the upcoming G-8
observatory. Summit.
On another contentious issue concerning the US plan
G-8 Summit Concludes with $ 60 Billion of a missile defence system in Central Europe, Russian
aid Pledge to Africa President Vladimir Putin made a surprise offer to his US
Leaders from the G-8 (Group of Eight) leading counterpart George W. Bush. Putin told Bush that
industrialized powers concluded their annual summit in Moscow would not oppose a US plan of a radar based
Heiligendamm on June 08, 2007 with a pledge to deliver Missile Defence System in Europe if it was deployed in
aid promises to Africa and concerns over regional Azerbaijan instead of Central Europe.
security. Meanwhile, G-8 leaders called for more efforts to
adjust global imbalances in the world economy, although
they appeared upbeat about the world economy. They
also pledged to intensify anti-corruption efforts, both at
the national and international levels, terming the fight
against corruption as one of the most important tasks of
the G-8.
India at the Summit
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had a
packed schedule at the G-8 Summit. During his meeting
with the US President George W. Bush, one of the main
issues on his agenda was India-US nuclear deal which
seems to have run into rough weather.
G-8 Leaders Several disagreements have cropped up between the
The G-8 leaders agreed on an aid package have been two countries. These include the Return clause which
pledged by the United States and Germany has also provides the US with the right to call for the return of any
announced an offer of 4 billion euros (55 billion dollars) nuclear materials and equipment transferred to India and

PD/August/2007/196 Doing your best is more important than being the best.