Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle is a reusable spacecraft designed and used by NASA. It consists of propulsion mechanisms attached to a winged craft that houses astronauts and mission payloads. The propulsion mechanisms detach from the orbiter at different stages during liftoff. At the end of th emission, the orbiter returns to Earth and lands like a traditional aircraft.
Fast Facts
- Missions overseen by NASA's Space Transportation System (STS)
- Carry five to seven astronauts
- Operating lifetime: 100 launches
- First launch: March 25, 1979
- Total shuttles produced: 7
- Currently active: 31
Space Shuttle Components
- Orbiter
- Winged spacecraft
- Houses equipment and personnel
- Outfitted with three liquid-fueled engines
- External fuel tank
- Large reddish-orange tube
- Discarded during liftoff
- Two solid-fuel booster rockets
- Strapped onto the external fuel tank
- Discarded during liftoff
- Recovered later for reuse2
Active Fleet
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Space Shuttle Discovery
- Space Shuttle Endeavour1
Display/Test Flight Fleet
- Space Shuttle Enterprise
- Space Shuttle Pathfinder
- Space Shuttle Explorer1
Lost During Missions
- Space Shuttle Challenger
- Space Shuttle Columbia
Related Pages on Mahalo
International Space Station | NASA | Shuttle Launch | Sea Launch | Richard Feynman | Ares Orion
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