The shuttle Atlantis will be the last shuttle launched into space. And one of the Southern Tier's own will be piloting the final mission. Our Carmen Perez spoke with Doug Hurley's family and friends about the upcoming launch.

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"It will be very exciting to see the launch on Friday. It is bittersweet that it is the last mission," said Doug's father Harv. Hurley.

Hurley's parents say they are proud of their son who is part of the four person crew on the grand finale mission of NASA's space shuttle program.

"It is certainly an honor for him to be flying on any shuttle mission but especially the last one," said Harv Hurley.

A sizeable group of family and friends will travel to Florida to see the launch.

"I'm packing right now for the final space shuttle mission," said Robin Seward.

Robin Seward was Hurley's fifth grade teacher. Seward also traveled to Florida in 2009 when Hurley was a pilot on the space shuttle Endeavor.

"Doug always calls it surreal that it happened to him and now he is going again," said Seward.

Seward says she always knew Hurley was going to be successful.

"He was a little more than ordinary and actually now I'd say we'd put extra in front of that a little extraordinary."

She says Hurley's success makes the perfect lesson for kids in the community.

"It is an inspiration to all kids, all school kids everywhere, that even if you are from a small town you could have major accomplishments," said Seward.

Proud of the hometown boy who made it big and will soon be piloting his way into history.