Columbia.
Actually, Columbia flew five times in 1981 and 1982, then Challenger began flying in 1983.
So, whether you wanted to know which shuttle flew the second mission, or what shuttle began flying after Columbia, here's your answer.
The name of the first shuttle to be launched was Columbia. It was launched on April 12, 1981, for the inaugural flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program.
The name of the first Space Shuttle that was launched was Columbia. It embarked on its maiden voyage on April 12, 1981.
Columbia
Columbia
Atlantis to be launched in June 2011.
Challenger
Second space shuttle in space was Challenger, but second space shuttle ever was Enterprise, what was made for testing in atmosphere.
Columbia.
Endeavour.
The name of the first space shuttle that was run through free flight simulation was Enterprise, but the first space shuttle to actually reach orbit was Columbia in 1981.
The first Shuttle that flew was piggy backed on top of a modified 747 and it's name was Enterprise. The first shuttle launched was Columbia.
The first shuttle launched after the Challenger disaster was the Discovery shuttle, which returned to space on September 29, 1988. Discovery's mission, STS-26, was considered a success and marked the resumption of shuttle flights after a 32-month hiatus.