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: In orbithttp://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
- 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
- New dad-in-space: Focusing on shuttle job easy
  
  NASA's new dad in space, shuttle astronaut Randolph Bresnik, said Tuesday he had no problems focusing on his job while awaiting his daughter's birth. ... (November 24, 2009)
  The Associated Press
- Space shuttle Atlantis begins trip back to Earth
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Astronauts aboard space shuttle Atlantis fired their ship's braking rockets on Friday to leave orbit and begin the ... (November 27, 2009)
  Reuters
- Shuttle Atlantis Returns to Earth
  
  This shuttle mission was the last of 2009 and included three spacewalks and more than six days at the International Space Station. The US space shuttle ... (November 27, 2009)
  Voice of America
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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, 7 astronauts back on Earth | Breaking News ...
  
  Shuttle returns.jpg Space shuttle Atlantis lands on runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. Atlantis and its seven astronauts returned to Earth with a smooth touchdown Friday to end an 11-... (November 27, 2009)
  blog.al.com
- Space Shuttle Atlantis Back On Ground - Nashville News Story ...
  
  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The space shuttle Atlantis, carrying a Mount Juliet native, is now safely on the ground. Friday, November 27, 2009. (November 27, 2009)
  wsmv.com
- Space Shuttle Atlantis Lands in Florida | International Space ...
  
  Space shuttle Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. at 9:44 am EST, winding up the STS-129 mission that included three spacewalks and more than six. (November 27, 2009)
  spacefellowship.com
- Space shuttle Atlantis heads for Florida landing (Reuters) | Learn ...
  
  Reuters - Astronauts aboard space shuttle Atlantis fired their ship's braking rockets on Friday to leave orbit and begin an hour-long glide to Earth, the last leg of an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. (November 27, 2009)
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On Twitter Powered by Twitter
- @ralphhightower Astro-pilots describe SpaceShuttle as "flying brick." She's not very quick on her wings, so to speak. ;)
- Just heard the "BOOM" from the spaceshuttle's re-entry.
- We concentrate on the #spaceshuttle so much, but what's required to fetch the SRBs and Fuel Tank? Does the Navy bring them back?
- Let's steal a spaceshuttle, together we fly to the moon, don't look back, it just you,me and the universe, that's a remedy... #quote
- made a new lol 'Time to start anew. The spaceshuttle was great in its day, but now it's a dinosaur' http://twlol.com/tw/?5943582 #lol #ichc
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