Usa space shuttle. 1, 2003. Next Spaceflight is making it easier than ever before to track the latest in spaceflight. The X-37B is intended to conduct orbital testing and other activities. Mar 7, 2025 · The U. These include incidents during flight or training for crewed space missions and testing, assembly, preparation, or flight of crewed and robotic spacecraft. Oct 17, 2025 · Space exploration - Shuttle, Astronauts, Missions: After the success of the Apollo 11 mission, NASA proposed an ambitious plan for a series of large space stations to be developed during the 1970s and a new reusable space transportation system to send people and supplies to those stations, lunar bases, and crewed missions to Mars in the 1980s. It occurred Feb. The first goal of the Space Shuttle program was to provide NASA with an efficient, re-usable method of carrying astronauts to It was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the United States and NASA. The uncrewed X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida President Nixon, announcing the decision to build the Space Shuttle on 5 January 1972, minimized its scientific role. The space plane blasted into orbit from NASA's May 8, 2025 · The Florida American Innovation $1 Coin reverse design presents an image of a NASA space shuttle lifting off from Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Know about its key findings, its role in building the International Space Station, and why the space shuttle program was Mar 7, 2025 · The U. 28, 1986, exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crewmembers and changing NASA's space program forever. Kathryn Sullivan The US Space Shuttle was an entirely new human spaceflight programme that became a watershed for cultural diversity, especially within NASA. Save 30% on the shop price when you subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine today! The space shuttle’s main engines, external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters—the heart that powered the shuttle fleet—were designed, manufactured, and built in Alabama. Aug 22, 2025 · Another U. Apr 9, 2025 · Starting with Columbia and continuing with Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, the spacecraft has carried people into orbit repeatedly, launched, recovered and repaired satellites, conducted cutting-edge research and built the largest structure in space, the International Space Station. space program. Each site included runways of sufficient length for the slowing-down of a returning spacecraft. However, with the advent of suborbital flight starting with privately funded SpaceShipOne Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA. USA was established in August 1995 as joint venture of Rockwell International and Lockheed Martin, primarily to support operations of the Space Shuttle. shuttle, openinga new space age free o The STS-107 Crew The first shuttle mission in 2003, STS-107 mission marked the 113th flight overall in NASA’s Space Shuttle program and the 28th flight of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia. Jan 28, 2025 · Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated the date of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. 🚀 Realistic Spaceship Design: This 6-inch die-cast shuttle toy features an authentic NASA-inspired design with intricate details and a 1:400 scale. Instead of moving relatively quickly from one human spaceflight program to another, as in the fast-paced 1960s and 1970s, the spaceport’s workforce and facilities now were geared toward preparing and launching a revolutionary new spacecraft that would further advance our capabilities in orbit: the space shuttle. Mar 29, 2023 · During the 1980s, Kennedy Space Center made a critical shift in focus. Space Force’s unmanned, reusable spaceplane, successfully deorbited and landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility on Nov. Like previous missions, the reusable plane resembling a mini space shuttle carried classified experiments. However, the US space agency’s replacement for this vehicle, Orion, returned to the conical capsule Apr 5, 2024 · The space shuttle Discovery performs a 360-degree flip in 2009 in a handout image from NASA taken by the International Space Station's crew. The space shuttle names include iconic monikers that resonate with historical significance. Aug 31, 2021 · Like the space shuttle, the X-37B lands on a runway, plane-style, but does everything autonomously (in contrast to the piloted shuttle, which usually carried a crew of seven astronauts). This article will delve into The Era Of The Space Shuttle The space shuttle was an American spacecraft designed to carry payloads and crew members into low Earth orbit, as part of the Space Shuttle Program. SPACE SHUTTLE By Cliff Lethbridge SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM HISTORY Space Shuttle Artist Conception, Photo Courtesy NASA Born in 1968 at the height of the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle was designed to fulfill two basic roles in NASA post-Apollo manned flight objectives. Space Shuttle Era Facts NASA’s shuttle fleet achieved numerous firsts and opened up space to more people than ever before during the Space Shuttle Program’s 30 years of missions. A clear plastic tip adds weight, allowing the shuttle to fly farther. Oct 10, 2025 · Space shuttle, partially reusable rocket-launched vehicle designed to go into orbit around Earth, to transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft, and to glide to a runway landing on its return to Earth’s surface. May 15, 2025 · The United States Mint is ready to launch the next $1 coin in its American Innovation series, honoring NASA's retired reusable spacecraft. The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U. Jul 24, 2025 · Learn about NASA's Space Shuttle, a revolutionary reusable spacecraft. Space Force’s X-37B mini space shuttle landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 7 after a record 434-day secret mission. The highly detailed model, with its multi-color design and scale of 1:370, is a perfect addition to any collection. Buran (Russian: Буран, IPA: [bʊˈran], lit. The Space Shuttle, officially known as the Space Transportation System (STS), was the first reusable spacecraft to carry humans into orbit. While our website is designed to work on mobile devices, our Android and iOS app provide a better mobile experience. Our page offers detailed insights into each mission, including trajectory, crew details, mission objectives, rocket specifications, launch location, and booster landing updates. To return to Kennedy Space Center, the X-37 is placed into a payload canister and loaded into a Boeing C-17 cargo plane. military's classified mini space shuttle returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days. Introduced in the 1980s, the Space Shuttle program aimed to provide a reusable and versatile means of transporting astronauts and cargo to and from low Earth orbit. But the workhorse spacecraft proved more NASA's Space Shuttle: the history of the reusable spacecraft and its lasting legacy NASA's Space Shuttle launched in 1981 and flew its final mission in 2011. military mini-shuttle launched into space from Florida on Thursday to conduct classified experiments in orbit. The Shuttle had created the opportunity to broaden the selection of astronaut candidates to include skills other than jet flying. Jul 2, 2025 · The GOP spending and tax bill would move the Space Shuttle Discovery from its current home at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum annex, the Udvar-Hazy Center, in Virginia to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster On Saturday, February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board. 🚀 Pullback Action: Simply pull the toy back and release to send it zooming forward, providing hours of engaging fun The Space Shuttle Program, initiated by NASA in the 1970s, revolutionized space exploration with the world’s first reusable spacecraft. The names and stories behind NASA’s space shuttles provoke feelings of awe, wonder, and discovery. Mar 10, 2025 · Classified mini space shuttle X-37B returns to Earth after 434 days, showcasing military experiments and orbit-changing capabilities. Spacelab featured an enclosed crew work module connected to an outside payload pallet, which could be mounted with various instruments and experiments. Jul 5, 2011 · When NASA's space shuttle program was announced back in 1972, it was billed as a major advance — a key step in humanity's quest to exploit and explore space. Jul 21, 2011 · Space shuttles have played a pivotal role in the U. May 15, 2025 · The Space Shuttle flew on 135 missions between 1981 and 2011. Launched Thursday by SpaceX, the craft with no one aboard took off from Florida. Operated from 1981 to 2011 by NASA, [1] the U. This article lists verifiable spaceflight-related accidents and incidents resulting in human death or serious injury. Pearlman published May 15, 2025 The United States Mint is ready to launch the next $1 coin in its American May 29, 2023 · The NASA Space Shuttle program was a breakthrough in space exploration, raising the level of manned spaceflight to previously unheard-of levels. About NASA's Mission Join Us Home News & Events Multimedia NASA+ Missions Humans in Space Earth The Solar System The Universe Science Aeronautics Technology Learning Resources May 26, 2023 · The 13th flight of the Space Shuttle program, STS-41G was notable for many firsts and records. It was comprised of the orbiter, the main engines, the external tank, and the solid rocket boosters. (AP) — The U. Simple assembly is required. The program was a tremendous success for NASA, but it also endured several tragedies Landing is at one of three sites across the US: the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, Vandenberg Space Force Base, or Edwards Air Force Base. The Space Shuttle, a groundbreaking spacecraft developed by NASA, revolutionized human spaceflight and exploration. Oct 27, 2020 · The US Space Shuttle was an iconic spacecraft and a workhorse for the US space program, but did you know that the Soviet Union also built their own Space Shuttle type spacecraft known as the Buran Space programs of the United States date to the start of the Space Age in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It aimed to make access to space routine and cost-effective, achieving notable milestones such as deploying satellites, servicing space telescopes, and assembling the International Space Station (ISS). Instead, he argued that it was the right step for America to take, in moving out from our present beach-head in the sky to achieve a real working presence in space because the Space Shuttle will give us routine access to space. Feb 1, 2015 · The space shuttle left its 30 years of achievements written in the sky above and in the hearts of the astronauts, American and international, who flew in them. ; today you can visit five shuttles, three of which flew to space during the almost 30 years of NASA’s Shuttle program. Sep 9, 2020 · Want to see a real-life space shuttle? Here's where to get your NASA shuttle fix in museums across the United States. Programs involve both crewed systems and uncrewed satellites, probes and platforms to meet diverse program objectives. It, along with the accompanying launch system, was the United States’ primary spacecraft for transporting astronauts and cargo into space from 1981 to 2011. Not included Nov 12, 2020 · The Space Shuttle was NASA’s workhorse for 30 years. May 21, 2020 · Next week, NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will conduct the first manned orbital spaceflight launched from American soil since the end of the shuttle program. Jun 20, 2022 · It was on display at the Great Space Shuttle Exposition in Tokyo from June 1983 to August 1984, when it was returned to the United States and put on display at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This plan was quickly rejected, as there was no Feb 4, 2003 · Space Shuttle mission STS-9, launched in late November 1983, was the maiden flight for Spacelab. The space plane blasted into orbit from Nasa's Kennedy Mar 8, 2025 · The U. Download today for free: This vintage diecast plastic toy figure of the USA Space Shuttle is a must-have for any collector or fan of space exploration. There’s no one on board. Dec 11, 2017 · The space shuttle was designed to carry large payloads into orbit, service them, and bring them back to Earth if necessary. It was the first… The Shuttle–Mir program (Russian: Программа «Мир»–«Шаттл») [a] was a collaborative space program between Russia and the United States that involved American Space Shuttles visiting the Russian space station Mir, Russian cosmonauts flying on the Shuttle, and an American astronaut flying aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to allow American astronauts to engage in long-duration Sep 26, 2025 · Challenger disaster, explosion of the U. The vehicle type is a space shuttle, and the brand is Diecast, with a series of Diecast models. Discover rockets and shuttles and experience life as an astronaut. 12, 2022, at 05:22 a. Space Shuttle stamp of 1995 depicts the famous liftoff of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Mission STS-57, which took place on June 21, 1993, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Over three decades its 135 missions changed spaceflight forever. Three locations in the United States were used as landing sites for the Space Shuttle system. The Space Shuttle orbiter is the spaceplane component of the Space Shuttle, a partially reusable orbital spacecraft system that was part of the discontinued Space Shuttle program. Challenger Buran on a Soviet stamp, with an Energia rocket. military mini shuttle has blasted off on a secret mission. Named after the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe, and the female personification of the United States, Columbia was the first of five Space Shuttle orbiters to fly in space, debuting the Space Shuttle launch vehicle on its maiden flight on April 12, 1981 and • WHAT'S INCLUDED: This set includes 12 space shuttle gliders that are perfect to give out as party favors at your little astronaut's birthday party. 🌕 Interactive Play: The shuttle comes equipped with light and sound effects to enhance the imaginative play experience. Columbia's final flight ended in disaster as it broke apart during re-entry. The definition of what constitutes spaceflight varys. S. Oct 28, 2025 · A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch on its second demonstration flight with Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser cargo vehicle for the International Space Station. Apr 5, 2024 · The space shuttle Discovery performs a 360-degree flip in 2009 in a handout image from NASA taken by the International Space Station's crew. Mar 7, 2025 · The US military’s robotic mini-space shuttle dropped out of orbit and glided to a runway in California late Thursday, ending a 434-day mission that pioneered new ways of maneuvering in space. space shuttle orbiter Challenger, shortly after its launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on January 28, 1986, which claimed the lives of seven astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, who had won a national screening to become the first teacher in space. The mint will open sales for the coins, which depict a space shuttle lifting off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Similarities with previous Space Shuttles Boeing’s X-37B was born on November 17, 2006, when the United States Air Force decided it wanted a robotic space shuttle that could stay in space for up to 270 days Jul 7, 2025 · Trump 'Big Beautiful Bill' provides $85 million to move a NASA space shuttle. Apr 11, 2025 · US Mint begins sales of $1 coin honoring innovative NASA space shuttle By Robert Z. Learn More List of Space Shuttle missions Launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on 12 April 1981 at Pad 39A for mission STS-1 The Space Shuttle is a partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated by NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration). • GREAT FOR KIDS: Since Feb 8, 2024 · Nasa’s space shuttle operated in low-Earth orbit for 30 years before its retirement in 2011. In 1983 space shuttle astronaut Sally Ride became the first U. Credit: US Mint The U. military’s classified mini space shuttle returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days. They made their debut in 1981 and enabled NASA to learn how to live and work in orbit. Designed to be a space-based science lab, Spacelab was installed inside the orbiter’s cargo bay. Aug 22, 2025 · A U. The Buran orbiters were similar in design to the U. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is unparalleled in scope and wonder. For millions of Americans, it was an event that Space Shuttle Challenger breaks up during its 1986 launch resulting in the death of all seven crew members. The space plane blasted into orbit from Nasa's Kennedy CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. View attractions, purchase official tickets, and learn about upcoming events & launches. In the United States, professional, military, and commercial astronauts who travel above an altitude of 50 miles (80 Oct 3, 2025 · Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral, FL. The model was manufactured in 1970, and it is made of Apr 24, 2025 · On January 28, 1986, NASA and the American people were rocked as tragedy unfolded 73 seconds into the flight of Space Shuttle Challenger's STS-51L mission. See the shuttle program by the numbers. Jul 21, 2011 · Following the final space shuttle landing, NASA is looking toward a future of sending manned missions to an asteroid and Mars, and stimulating commercial spaceflight. These reusable spaceships helped the world explore near-Earth space and beyond for as much as 30 years! Let’s remember how it was and what are the legendary space shuttle names that made history. With its iconic orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and external fuel tank, the Space Shuttle became a symbol of Jul 3, 2025 · The Space Shuttle Learn the basic history around the world's first reusable spacecraft, a chronology of its construction, as well as details about its component parts, and specific facts about each of the six shuttle orbiters. space agency, this vehicle could carry astronauts and payloads into low Earth orbit, perform in-space operations, then re-enter the atmosphere and land as a glider Oct 26, 2021 · Space Shuttle Columbia was the first shuttle in space and performed 28 flights. Kennedy Nov 12, 2022 · KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. Until recently, astronauts were sponsored and trained exclusively by governments, either by the military or by civilian space agencies. 2 Reason The U. Landings also occurred at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and one took Feb 15, 2010 · The NASA space shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after liftoff, bringing a devastating end to the spacecraft’s 10th mission. military's classified mini space shuttle has returned to Earth after circling the world for 434 days. The sale of Rockwell's aerospace and defense assets to Boeing in December 1996 made Boeing the co-owner along with Lockheed for the rest of the company's corporate existence Aug 1, 2025 · Read CNN’s Space Shuttle Program Fast Facts for a look at the NASA program, which ended in 2011 after 135 missions. • DETAILED DESIGN: Kids and adults will appreciate the realistic details that make these simple gliders super cool. . military's mini space shuttle has returned to Earth after circling the world on another secretive mission that lasted 434 days. Jul 4, 2025 · The "One Big Beautiful Bill," now enacted, directs that space shuttle Discovery be removed from the Smithsonian and placed on display at Space Center Houston by January 2027. military's secretive X-37B robot spaceplane blasted off from Florida on Thursday night on its seventh mission, the first launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket capable of delivering The U. Space Shuttle. -- The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-6 (OTV-6), the U. Play Space Shuttle Project (USA) Game (Nintendo Entertainment System) retro game online for free in your browser. It was the second and last Space Shuttle mission to end in disaster, after the loss of Challenger and crew in 1986. Jan 25, 2023 · Columbia was the first space shuttle to fly in space; its first flight took place in April 1981, and it successfully completed 27 missions before the disaster. This is a list of astronauts by year of selection: people selected to train for a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. 12 having spent a record 908 days in orbit The U. Jul 21, 2011 · NASA's space shuttles have racked up an amazing set of accomplishments over 30 years. The space plane took off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at night, more than Nov 18, 2022 · The uncrewed X-37B space plane touched down at NASA’s Kennedy Space Station on Nov. Space Shuttle Rocket Launch Schedule: Today & Upcoming Discover the upcoming Space Shuttle rocket launch schedule, featuring today's and upcoming launches. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. OTV -6 was the first mission to introduce a service module-a ring attached to the rear of the vehicle expanding the number of experiments that This Encyclopedia Britannica Technology and Science list features seven accidents that occurred on spacecraft in the history of outer space expeditions. 01) was the first spaceplane to be produced as part of the Soviet/Russian Buran program. Dec 12, 2024 · Boeing has built a nice little wonder in the X-37B – the US Space Force’s reusable launch vehicle into space. The Space Shuttle Program is now entering a retirement and closeout phase, and NASA is undertaking recordation activities to compile historical and educational information United Space Alliance (USA) was a spaceflight operations company. woman in space as part of the Challenger crew. Feb 1, 2022 · The space shuttle Challenger — during its 10th launch – on Jan. Here's where Discovery, which made its inaugural flight in 1984, completed 39 missions before it retired in 2011. Aug 27, 2024 · The Challenger and Columbia space shuttle tragedies influenced NASA's thinking on how the Boeing Starliner astronauts should return home, agency officials said. Mar 11, 2025 · Below you’ll find a guide to each of the Space Shuttle locations around the U. Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved Format: Panes of 20 Perforations: 11. Embark on a celestial linguistic journey with us as we unravel the fascinating world of Space Shuttle Names. It was conceived in the 1960’s and the first orbiters Mar 7, 2025 · The Space Force's unmanned X-37B blasted into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in December 2023 on a secret mission. Jun 30, 2025 · Under the cover of darkness Texas politicians make headway in effort to wrench space shuttle from Smithsonian An effort to move shuttle Discovery has merged with the One Big Beautiful Bill. But despite all its features, it had some fatal flaws. Jun 2, 2023 · The Space Shuttle The world's first reusable spacecraft launched like a rocket, maneuvered in Earth orbit like a spacecraft and landed like an airplane. military’s X-37B space plane blasted off Thursday on another secretive mission that’s expected to last at least a couple of years. The shuttle would enable safe Jul 21, 2015 · (3 Feb 1994) Discovery blasted off at dawn on Thursday (3/2) with fiveAmericans and the first Russian to fly on a U. Discovery operated from 1984 to 2011. May 15, 2025 · The United States Mint is ready to launch the next $1 coin in its American Innovation series, honoring NASA's retired space shuttle. [3] Buran completed one uncrewed spaceflight in 1988, and was Mar 23, 2015 · National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. These iconic vehicles carried both astronauts and imagination. It's back up!Stop by and see the restored Pathfinder Shuttle! US #2544 1995 Challenger Space Shuttle Priority Mail stamp One of two semi-jumbo stamps with US space shuttle theme Category of Stamp: Definitive Value: $3, Priority Mail First Day of Issue: June 22, 1995 First Day City: Anaheim, California Quantity Issued: 100,000,000 Printed by: Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd. The disaster claimed the lives of all Mar 19, 2025 · The latest news and live updates as NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who flew Boeing's Starliner to orbit, return on a SpaceX capsule after nine months in space. It was developed by NASA and made 135 spaceflights between 1981 and 2011. The prime landing site was the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a purpose-built landing strip. m. Dec 29, 2023 · The U. ' blizzard '; GRAU index serial number: 11F35 1K, construction number: 1. Jan 14, 2025 · Overview Space Shuttle Recordation Activity When Space Shuttle Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center on July 21, 2011, it marked the conclusion of the final Shuttle mission and the end to a 30-year era of Shuttle flights. lkjykn 1axbq ib qja7e ngn wc cicoq gjgj 0vqvb qrgktzhsy