(Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The last mission of NASA’s Space Shuttle program, which launched from Kennedy Space Center at 11:30 am this morning and is now heading for the International Space Station, will be getting the 3D treatment. Panasonic sent word this morning that it has sent one of its AG-3DA1 3D camcorders on the mission to record scientific experiments and the astronauts’ experiences aboard the space station.

The four-person crew, led by Commander Christopher Ferguson, became familiar with the lightweight cameras and several Toughbook laptops and 3D monitors during pre-flight training and recorded their progress leading up to today’s launch aboard the Atlantis (STS-135). Panasonic said it plans to share some of the footage the astronauts capture aboard International Space Station with both its consumer and pro customers at a later date.

You can follow the shuttle’s progress on NASA’s dedicated STS-135 site here. It is scheduled to return to earth on Wednesday, July 20.