"The Space Shuttle program was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)..."
A NASA program that launched reusable spacecraft in Low Earth orbit between 1981 and 2011.
The Cold War: The relationship between the US and the Soviet Union and how it spurred the space race.
Sputnik: The first man-made satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.
Mercury program: The first human spaceflight program of the US that NASA ran from 1958 to 1963.
Gemini program: The second US human spaceflight program that ran from 1961 to 1966 and developed techniques for space rendezvous and extravehicular activity (EVA).
Apollo program: The third US human spaceflight program that ran from 1961 to 1972 and had the goal of landing humans on the Moon.
Space Shuttle: The space transportation system developed by NASA that ran from 1981 to 2011 and enabled the US to launch and repair satellites, conduct scientific experiments, and build the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Components: The external tank, solid rocket boosters, and orbiter that made up the Space Shuttle system.
Space Shuttle Missions: The various missions the Shuttle conducted, including science experiments, deploying satellites, and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope.
Challenger Disaster: The tragic event on January 28, 1986, that resulted in the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger and its crew.
Columbia Disaster: The tragic event on February 1, 2003, that resulted in the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew.
International Space Station: An orbiting laboratory that has been continuously occupied by humans since November 2000 and was built with the help of the Space Shuttle.
Space Shuttle Retirement: The decision to retire the Space Shuttle program and the subsequent developments in human spaceflight, such as the Commercial Crew Program.
The Future of Space Exploration: The current state and future plans for space exploration, including missions to Mars and beyond.
Space Shuttle Crew: The astronauts who flew on Space Shuttle missions and their contributions to science and space exploration.
"It flew 135 missions..."
"...carried 355 astronauts from 16 countries..."
"The Space Shuttle—composed of an orbiter launched with two reusable solid rocket boosters and a disposable external fuel tank—carried up to eight astronauts..."
"...up to 50,000 lb (23,000 kg) of payload..."
"...the orbiter would reenter the Earth's atmosphere and land like a glider at either the Kennedy Space Center or Edwards Air Force Base."
"Its missions involved carrying large payloads to various orbits including the International Space Station (ISS), providing crew rotation for the space station, and performing service missions on the Hubble Space Telescope."
"The Shuttle is the only winged crewed spacecraft to have achieved orbit and landing..."
"...designed with a projected lifespan of 100 launches, or 10 years' operational life."
"Original selling points on the shuttles were over 150 launches over a 15-year operational span..."
"Its official name, Space Transportation System (STS), was taken from a 1969 plan for a system of reusable spacecraft..."
"which accomplished routine transportation for Earth-to-orbit crew and cargo..."
"...carried 355 astronauts from 16 countries..."
"The Space Shuttle—composed of an orbiter launched with two reusable solid rocket boosters and a disposable external fuel tank..."
"The orbiter also recovered satellites and other payloads (e.g., from the ISS) from orbit and returned them to Earth..."
"...a 'launch per month' expected at the peak of the program..."
"...many on multiple trips."
"...performing service missions on the Hubble Space Telescope."
"...carrying large payloads to various orbits including the International Space Station (ISS)..."
"but extensive delays in the development of the International Space Station never created such a peak demand for frequent flights."