The Space Shuttle is the world's first reusable spacecraft, and the first spacecraft in history that can carry large satellites both to and from orbit. The Shuttle launches like a rocket, maneuvers in Earth orbit like a spacecraft and lands like an airplane. Each of the three Space Shuttle orbiters now in operation -- Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour -- is designed to fly at least 100 missions. So far, altogether they have flown a combined total of less than one-fourth of that.
Image left: The components of the Space Shuttle system: Orbiter, External Tank, and Solid Rocket Boosters. Photo Credit: NASA
Columbia was the first Space Shuttle orbiter to be delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., in March 1979. Columbia and the STS-107 crew were lost Feb. 1, 2003, during re-entry. The Orbiter Challenger was delivered to KSC in July 1982 and was destroyed in an explosion during ascent in January 1986. Discovery was delivered in November 1983. Atlantis was delivered in April 1985. Endeavour was built as a replacement following the Challenger accident and was delivered to Florida in May 1991. An early Space Shuttle Orbiter, the Enterprise, never flew in space but was used for approach and landing tests at the Dryden Flight Research Center and several launch pad studies in the late 1970s.
The Space Shuttle consists of three major components: the Orbiter which houses the crew; a large External Tank that holds fuel for the main engines; and two Solid Rocket Boosters which provide most of the Shuttle's lift during the first two minutes of flight. All of the components are reused except for the external fuel tank, which burns up in the atmosphere after each launch.
The longest the Shuttle has stayed in orbit on any single mission is 17.5 days on mission STS-80 in November 1996. Normally, missions may be planned for anywhere from five to 16 days in duration. The smallest crew ever to fly on the Shuttle numbered two people on the first few missions. The largest crew numbered eight people. Normally, crews may range in size from five to seven people. The Shuttle is designed to reach orbits ranging from about 185 kilometers to 643 kilometers (115 statute miles to 400 statute miles) high.
The Shuttle has the most reliable launch record of any rocket now in operation. Since 1981, it has boosted more than 1.36 million kilograms (3 million pounds) of cargo into orbit. More than than 600 crew members have flown on its missions. Although it has been in operation for almost 20 years, the Shuttle has continually evolved and is significantly different today than when it first was launched. NASA has made literally thousands of major and minor modifications to the original design that have made it safer, more reliable and more capable today than ever before.
Since 1992 alone, NASA has made engine and system improvements that are estimated to have tripled the safety of flying the Space Shuttle, and the number of problems experienced while a Space Shuttle is in flight has decreased by 70 percent. During the same period, the cost of operating the Shuttle has decreased by one and a quarter billion dollars annually -- a reduction of more than 40 percent. At the same time, because of weight reductions and other improvements, the cargo the Shuttle can carry has increased by 7.3 metric tons (8 tons.)
In managing and operating the Space Shuttle, NASA holds the safety of the crew as its highest priority.
Most of the parts on the Shuttles are made of high tensile strength aluminum alloy composites (e.g., 6061-T6) or Titanium alloy.
The space shuttles that were first used in 1980 were Columbia and Challenger. Both space shuttles were part of NASA's Space Shuttle program and conducted various missions until the Challenger disaster in 1986.
Currently NASA have three space shuttles Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.
Cape Canaveral, Florida, Kennedy Space Center.
Space shuttles and space stations are similar in that they are both used for space exploration and research. However, space shuttles are spacecraft designed for transport between Earth and space, while space stations are large structures designed for long-term habitation in space by astronauts. Additionally, space shuttles can return to Earth, while space stations remain in orbit.
NASA space shuttles
Space shuttles use energy, not make it
Stations are built in space; Shuttles use rocket boosters.
no place, nobody has space shuttles anymore
It is not expected that the Space Shuttles will fly again.
Most of the parts on the Shuttles are made of high tensile strength aluminum alloy composites (e.g., 6061-T6) or Titanium alloy.
The question is a little moot, since we don't have space shuttles any more.
If you mean space shuttles, the answer is no.
4 Space Shuttles existed in 2011. Including the test vehicle, Space Shuttle Enterprise. Space Shuttles that actually went into space? 3. Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour.
The space shuttles that were first used in 1980 were Columbia and Challenger. Both space shuttles were part of NASA's Space Shuttle program and conducted various missions until the Challenger disaster in 1986.
space shuttles were made to be reusable, rockets were used only once
Currently NASA have three space shuttles Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.