![]() It involves the development of products, processes, and systems in order to improve our lives through innovation. It became known worldwide as STS-1 (Space Transportation System 1) paving way for future launches including Discovery OV-103 & Challenger OV-099 over subsequent years until 2011 when Atlantis launched its final mission marking retirement for NASA’s beloved winged wonder – nearly thirty years after she first soared above us into outer reaches beyond imagination! Design and Technologyĭesign and technology is a field that encompasses the application of technical skills to solve problems. An ambitious endeavor from its inception, it required several key components to make it successful: an orbital spacecraft with wings an external fuel tank two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) onboard computers engines powerful enough to lift off from Earth’s gravity field a heat shield strong enough to protect the crew during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere plus other less visible but equally important pieces like brakes, steering systems, communications hardware etc… In addition to designing all these separate parts together into one integrated next-generation vehicle capable of meeting NASA’s needs – engineers also had to consider how this craft could be operated by astronauts safely during each stage of its journey through space and back home again.įinally after many years spent developing this revolutionary concept – on April 12th 1981 at 7:00am Eastern Standard Time -the very first launch took place from Pad A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard Columbia OV-102 (Orbital Vehicle 102). The development and implementation of a spacecraft which could both reach orbit around Earth as well as return safely was seen as an essential step towards furthering our knowledge about our solar system and beyond.Īs such, plans began being mapped out for the first ever reusable vehicle – the Space Shuttle program. ![]() This made them unable to be reused once launched on their mission. The existing rockets available were only capable of one-way trips and lacked any kind of guidance system or navigational control while in flight. In the early years of space exploration, predating even the Apollo program, scientists and engineers recognized that in order to explore more distant regions of space they would need a reliable means of reaching orbit. Uncover the impact these marvels have had on our understanding of science and culture within society today. Learn about the incredible feats that were accomplished during this era of human discovery and technological advancement. From their first mission in 1981, to their last flight in 2011, discover where these iconic spacecraft are now and how they changed the way we view space exploration. Take a journey through time to explore the fascinating history of NASA’s space shuttles. ![]()
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