Space Shuttle

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

( In order of production )

Destroyed February 1, 2003

Destroyed January 26, 1986

Status: Docked

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

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

Missions:

Last or Current: STS-129
Slated for: TBD

Status: Docked

Missions:
Last or Current: STS-130

• 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

1. Space Shuttle Atlantis
2. Space Shuttle Discovery
3. Space Shuttle EndeavourSpace.com: All About the Space Shuttle

1. Space Shuttle Enterprise
2. Space Shuttle Pathfinder
3. Space Shuttle ExplorerSpace.com: All About the Space Shuttle

Other test vehicles

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