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- 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
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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, 2003Challenger
Destroyed January 26, 1986Atlantis
Status: In orbithttp://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
Missions:
Last or Current: STS-129
Slated for: TBDEndeavour
Status: Dry DockMissions:
Last or Current: STS-127
Slated for: STS-130 ( 2010 )Space Shuttle Components
- Orbiter
- Winged spacecraft
- Houses equipment and personnel
- Outfitted with three liquid-fueled engines
- External fuel tank
- Large reddish-orange tube
- Discarded during liftoff
- Two solid-fuel booster rockets
- Strapped onto the external fuel tank
- Discarded during liftoff
- Recovered later for reuseAnswers.com: Space Shuttle Definition
Lost During Missions
- Space Shuttle Challenger
- Destroyed during liftoff on January 28, 1986
- Space Shuttle Columbia
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Space Shuttle Questions
Why cant the space shuttle change orbits? 3 AnswersTwo 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 AnswersA 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 Answerthe 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 AnswerIt 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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On Twitter Powered by Twitter
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Shit get on my level you can't get on my level, You would need a spaceshuttle or a ladder that's forever
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you can't get on my level,hunn.your gonna need a spaceshuttle or a ladder that's forever longg.
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RT @kennedysc: Cool! RT@CiroV1 #SpaceShuttle s External Tank Factory! http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/bl...
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What NASA gets out of #NASAtweetup? Chance 2 offer aMAZing SpaceShuttle launch experience to those outside inner circle be4 it's history.
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