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The space shuttle that blew up a few minutes after takeoff was the Space Shuttle Challenger. The tragic accident occurred on January 28, 1986, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members on board. This event had a profound impact on the space program and led to a temporary suspension of the shuttle program.
there was 2 .. launching to get to the international space station up in space
Apollo-Soyuz, to use up remaining lunar-capable gear, such as the Apollo 18 capsule. And then there was Skylab, which used non- lunar capable rockets and capsules. Finally, there came the Space Shuttle.
The aircraft that blew up with Sally Ride was the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. Ride was scheduled to be the first woman to walk in space on a subsequent flight. The tragic accident led to the suspension of the Space Shuttle program.
The space shuttle program revolutionized the space program by providing a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo to space. It enabled the construction of the International Space Station and deployed satellites, telescopes, and other missions. The space shuttle also allowed for astronauts to conduct scientific research and experiments in space for extended durations.
It's up there now repairing the Hubble telescope
The space shuttle that exploded in 1996 was the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Without the space shuttle, spacecraft such as SpaceX's Dragon capsule or Boeing's Starliner will be used to transport astronauts and cargo to space. These spacecraft are launched using rockets, such as SpaceX's Falcon 9 or NASA's Space Launch System. The International Space Station will continue to be serviced by these alternative vehicles.
It wasn't invented overnight. It took many years to come up with a design that worked. Research began even before we landed on the moon in 1969. The shuttle program was formally launched in 1972 and Columbia (designated OV-102), was delivered to Kennedy Space Center in 1979 with the first launch in 1981
It has kept up a lot of interest in our own space program. Which NASA acknowledged in naming a space shuttle "Enterprise".
Generic space shuttle wreckage and such.