The end of an era is near.  The U.S. space shuttles - the complex workhorses of the U.S. space program - are being retired so NASA can focus on developing spacecraft that can travel beyond low-Earth-orbit.  The space shuttle Atlantis is set to lift off on July 8 - the final launch in the 30-year-old shuttle program.  VOA’s Suzanne Presto has more on the 12-day mission to carry supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station.