NASA officials have announced that Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located east of Orlando, Florida, has been selected to permanently display the space shuttle Atlantis upon the retirement of the Space Shuttle Program.

Atlantis, one of three orbiters in the space shuttle fleet, will fly the last scheduled space shuttle mission before being retired in 2011.

"This is a proud moment for space shuttle workers, Brevard County and Florida," said Bill Moore, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center, upon news of the announcement.

"We are honoured to be entrusted with space shuttle Atlantis, to preserve this remarkable national treasure and share the space shuttle story with millions of visitors from around the world."