Space Shuttle

- Missions overseen by NASA's Space Transportation System (STS)
- Carry five to seven astronauts
- Operating lifetime: 100 launches
- First launch: March 25, 1979
- Total shuttles produced: 7
- Currently active: 3Space.com: All About the Space Shuttle
- Two Shuttles, Challenger and Columbia, were lost in accidents.
- The Shuttle can reach a speed of 16,000 mph in less than nine minutes. From launch to reaching orbit 140 miles above the Earth takes 8-9 minutes.http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jUONSlvigQYkgRjHCkuyDs2O-mgQ

The Space Shuttle is a reusable spacecraft designed and used by NASA. It consists of propulsion mechanisms attached to a winged craft that houses astronauts and mission payloads. The propulsion mechanisms detach from the orbiter at different stages during liftoff. At the end of th emission, the orbiter returns to Earth and lands like a traditional aircraft.
On September 21, 2009 the Space Shuttle Discovery returned to florida after a successful landing at the auxiliary landing base at Edwards air force base in California.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour finally launched on Wednesday July 15, 2009 after a month of delays due to bad weather. Its 11 day mission is designed to complete Japan's Kibo research laboratory on the International Space Station and is one of the most complicated missions ever attempted by NASA.http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE56A1MD20090716
Shuttle Fleet and Status

( In order of production )
Columbia

Destroyed February 1, 2003
Challenger

Destroyed January 26, 1986
Discovery

Status: Docked

Missions:
Last or Current: STS-12-
Slated for: STS-13?
Atlantis

Status: Landedhttp://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

Missions:

Last or Current: STS-129
Slated for: TBD
Endeavour

Status: Dry Dock
Missions:
Last or Current: STS-127
Slated for: STS-130 ( 2010 )
Space Shuttle Components
- Orbiter
  1. Winged spacecraft
  2. Houses equipment and personnel
  3. Outfitted with three liquid-fueled engines
- External fuel tank
  1. Large reddish-orange tube
  2. Discarded during liftoff
- Two solid-fuel booster rockets
  1. Strapped onto the external fuel tank
  2. Discarded during liftoff
  3. Recovered later for reuseAnswers.com: Space Shuttle Definition
Active Fleet
Display/Test Flight Fleet
Other test vehicles
1. Ares-iX
Lost During Missions
1. Space Shuttle Challenger
  - Destroyed during liftoff on January 28, 1986
2. Space Shuttle Columbia
  - Destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003Space.com: All About the Space Shuttle

Featured Video

STS-125 Launch

Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-125 in May 2009. The mission repaired and upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope, extending its life to at least 2014.

Source: NASA / YouTube

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Space Shuttle News
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  The space shuttle Atlantis and its astronauts returned safely to Earth after a seven-day mission resupplying the International Space Station. ... (December 05, 2009)
  Huffington Post (blog)
- KESSLER: Astronaut leaves NA students starry-eyed
  
  Space shuttle flights, for example, have long had a global feel to them, with astronauts from around the world playing key roles in the missions, ... (December 03, 2009)
  Attleboro Sun Chronicle
- Shuttle Atlantis glides home after station visit
  
  Stott is the last space station crew member to launch and land aboard a space shuttle. With just five more shuttle missions before the fleet is retired next ... (November 27, 2009)
  CNET News
- Butterflies' survival has Toledo area youths fascinated
  
  They didn't know what might happen with the trio of monarchs that left Earth aboard the space shuttle Atlantis in mid-November. ... (December 05, 2009)
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Space Shuttle Questions
- Why cant the space shuttle change orbits? 3 Answers
  
  Two completely different orbits. Different speeds. Different inclinations. The shuttle (or any orbiting craft) is launched in a manner to place it in it's fin... read more
- How long would it take to travel from the International Space Station to an International Geosynchronous SS 3 Answers
  
  A space shuttle can theoretically do it in approximately 2195 seconds, but the burn time of the rockets is only 1854 seconds, so it would take longer in real wo... read more
- What do I need to do to see a shuttle launch 1 Answer
  
  the 2009 shuttle missions are currently targeted for the following dates: * Discovery, August 6, 2009 * Atlantis, November 12, 2009 * Endeavour, ... read more
- Is there a problem with the Space Shuttle Atlantis? 1 Answer
  
  It was noticed that there was a stretch of nicks along the right side of the shuttle when an inspection was done to see if there was any launch damage. They lo... read more
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Space Shuttle Links Powered by Google
- NASA - Space Shuttle
  
  NASA - Shuttle
  nasa.gov
- NASA - NASA's Shuttle and Rocket Launch Schedule
  nasa.gov
- Space Shuttle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
  Space Shuttle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  en.wikipedia.org
- Space Shuttle program - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
  Space Shuttle program - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  en.wikipedia.org
- NASA Human Space Flight
  
  NASA Human Space Flight
  spaceflight.nasa.gov
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Space Shuttle Blogs
- Space Shuttle Atlantis: The Beautiful Music Video Launch - Space ...
  
  Watch this video compiled by NASA of the beautiful launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-129. It's gorgeous and proves that all space launches should come with their own Celtic soundtracks. (December 04, 2009)
  io9.com
- Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-129 Ascent Video
  
  by Scott Beale on December 3, 2009 · 375512 commentshttp://laughingsquid.com/space-shuttle-atlantis-sts-129-ascent-video/Space+Shuttle+Atlantis+STS-129+Ascent+Video2009-12-03+21%3A38%3A03Scott+Beale ... (December 03, 2009)
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- collectSPACE - news - "Astronauts, space workers submit designs ...
  
  "The [designs] will now be reviewed and judged by a team of space shuttle program managers from various centers, who will provide recommendations for the patch," Byerly wrote to collectSPACE. All of the entries will then be posted to... (December 04, 2009)
  collectspace.com
- Space Shuttle Atlantis: The Beautiful Music Video Launch [Space ...
  
  Watch this video compiled by NASA of the beautiful launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-129. It's gorgeous and proves that all space launches should come with their own Celtic soundtracks. STS-129 Ascent Video Highlights from mik... (December 04, 2009)
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- Joop: De mooiste wetenschapsfoto's van 2009: De spaceshuttle met de zon en 60 andere prachtbeelden http://bit.ly/5FC82J
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- @mcough you gon' need a spaceshuttle or a ladder that's forever
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