The first operational US Space Shuttle, the Columbia was completed on March 8, 1979, and arrived at Kennedy Space Center on March 25, 1979. Its checkout mission was flown into space on April 12-14, 1981 by astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen.
Space Shuttle Columbia
Design and building of the US space shuttle began in the 1970's, and after many delays the first flight was in 1981.
The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first US space shuttle. Columbia took its maiden voyage in 1981. In 2003, Columbia was destroyed during re-entry, which resulted in the death of its entire crew.
The US's first space shuttle was called Columbia. It was part of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and completed its first orbital flight on April 12, 1981.
umm... who cares
Ah, the first space shuttle's name was the Columbia. It was a magnificent vessel that paved the way for incredible discoveries and journeys beyond our wildest dreams. Just like a blank canvas waiting to be painted, the Columbia ventured into the unknown, inspiring us all to reach for the stars.
Columbia was the first operational US Space Shuttle, and the first into space on April 12, 1981. It completed 28 missions between 1981 and 2003. The shuttle was destroyed and the 7-man crew killed during reentry on February 1, 2003, after one wing was damaged by falling ice and foam insulation during its launch on January 16, 2003. Columbia was one of two US shuttle losses that caused astronaut fatalities, the other being the Challenger explosion in January, 1986.
Space Shuttle.
The most recent space disaster involving the US was the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, where the shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members.
The US space shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986.
The US Space Shuttle program retired in 2011 after the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135) in July of that year.
5 Space Shuttle orbiters have been built. 3 remain in service.