Space Shuttles

A space shuttle is a partially reusable launch system composed of three main assemblies: the reusable Orbiter Vehicle (OV), the expendable External Tank (ET), and the two partially-reusable Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs).

The first space shuttle, Enterprise, was not built for actual space flight, and was used only for testing purposes. Enterprise was followed by four operational space shuttles: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery and Atlantis. Challenger was destroyed on launch in 1986, and Endeavour was built as a replacement. Columbia was destroyed on re-entry in 2003.

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Space Shuttle landing © Photo courtesy of NASA The drag chute opens out after the Space Shuttle Atlantis lands on runway at the Kennedy Space Center.

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NASA
NASA was established by President Eisenhower in 1958. Follow NASA as they explore: Earth, Moon, Mars and beyond.