Space Shuttle Missions
NASA's Space Shuttle program was begun in the 1970s, to create reusable craft for transporting cargo into space. The first space shuttle, Columbia was launched in 1981. One year later, the Challenger rolled off the assembly line. They were followed by Discovery in 1983 and Atlantis in 1985. In 1991, the space shuttle Endeavour joined the fleet to replace the Challenger.
STS-1 - First NASA Space Shuttle Mission
STS-1 was the first Shuttle Mission/Shuttle Systems Test Flight. STS-1 was made using the Space Shuttle Columbia. It launched on April 12, 1981 at 7:00:03 AM EST and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California on April 14, 1981 at 10:20:57 AM PST.
STS-1 was the first Shuttle Mission/Shuttle Systems Test Flight. STS-1 was made using the Space Shuttle Columbia. It launched on April 12, 1981 at 7:00:03 AM EST and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California on April 14, 1981 at 10:20:57 AM PST.
STS-118 Launching the Countdown
Officially, the countdown clock for the STS-118 space shuttle mission is scheduled to begin in June 2007, about three days before launch. For educators, however, the countdown begins much earlier -- on Nov. 14, 2006. In addition to its important role in continuing the assembly of the International Space Station, STS-118 will have a particular significance to the education community. Included in the mission's crew will be Barbara Morgan, making the first flight of a NASA educator astronaut.
Officially, the countdown clock for the STS-118 space shuttle mission is scheduled to begin in June 2007, about three days before launch. For educators, however, the countdown begins much earlier -- on Nov. 14, 2006. In addition to its important role in continuing the assembly of the International Space Station, STS-118 will have a particular significance to the education community. Included in the mission's crew will be Barbara Morgan, making the first flight of a NASA educator astronaut.
STS-116 - Liftoff!
After one delay of nearly two days, the Space Shuttle Discovery and a crew of seven astronauts lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B at 8:47 PM EST on Saturday, December 9, 2006. It is the start of the most complicated and challenging mission to the International Space Station to date. This is the 33rd mission for the space shuttle Discovery and the 117th space shuttle flight.
After one delay of nearly two days, the Space Shuttle Discovery and a crew of seven astronauts lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B at 8:47 PM EST on Saturday, December 9, 2006. It is the start of the most complicated and challenging mission to the International Space Station to date. This is the 33rd mission for the space shuttle Discovery and the 117th space shuttle flight.