NASA's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States government's current manned launch vehicle. The winged Space Shuttle orbiter is launched vertically, usually carrying five to seven astronauts (although eight have been carried) and up to 50,000 lb (22 700 kg) of payload into low earth orbit. When its mission is complete, the Shuttle can independently move itself out of orbit (by means of its maneuvering thrusters) and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. During descent and landing, the Shuttle Orbiter acts as a glider and makes a completely unpowered landing. This article is about the space vehicle. ... This article is about the Buran space program in general. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... Edward White on a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission. ... A Saturn V launch vehicle sends Apollo 15 on its way to the moon. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Astronaut (disambiguation). ... Look up pound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... KG, kg or Kg can refer to several things: Kilogram, the SI base unit of mass. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... “Reentry” redirects here. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ...

The Shuttle is the only winged manned spacecraft to achieve orbit and land, and the only reusable space vehicle that has ever made multiple flights into orbit. Its missions involve carrying large payloads to various orbits (including segments to be added to the International Space Station), providing crew rotation for the International Space Station, and performing service missions. The orbiter can also recover satellites and other payloads from orbit and return them to Earth, but its use in this capacity is rare. However, the Shuttle has previously been used to return large payloads from the ISS to Earth, as the Russian Soyuz spacecraft has limited capacity for return payloads. Each vehicle was designed with a projected lifespan of 100 launches, or 10 years' operational life. This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... ISS redirects here. ... This article is about artificial satellites. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Soyuz (Russian: Союз, pronounced sah-YOUS, meaning union) is a series of spacecraft designed by Sergey Korolyov for the Soviet Unions space program. ...

The program started in the late 1960s and has dominated NASA's manned operations since the mid-1970s. According to the Vision for Space Exploration, use of the Space Shuttle will be focused on completing assembly of the ISS by 2010, after which it will be retired from service, and eventually replaced by the new Orion spacecraft (now expected to be ready in about 2014). Image from NASA site Two planned configurations for a return to the moon, heavy lift (left) and crew (right) The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. ... Orion is a spacecraft currently under development by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ...

Conception

The maiden flight of Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12, 1981 (NASA). This was one of only two missions that had a painted external tank.

Even before the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, NASA began early studies of space shuttle designs. The early studies beginning in October, 1968 were denoted "Phase A." Further studies resulted in "Phase B" in June 1970. These plans were much more detailed and more specific. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (700x813, 126 KB) A launch of the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (700x813, 126 KB) A launch of the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... This article covers the Apollo 11 mission itself. ...

In 1969 President Richard Nixon formed the Space Task Group, chaired by vice president Spiro T. Agnew. This group evaluated the shuttle studies to date, and recommended a national space strategy including building a space shuttle.^[1] Nixon redirects here. ... Spiro Theodore Agnew, born Spiro Anagnostopoulos (November 9, 1918–September 17, 1996), was the thirty-ninth Vice President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1973 under President Richard M. Nixon. ... Even before the Apollo moon landing in 1969, in October 1968 NASA began early studies of space shuttle designs. ...

In October 1969, at a Space Shuttle symposium held in Washington, George Mueller (NASA's deputy administrator) presented opening remarks:^[1]

The goal we have set for ourselves is the reduction of the present costs of operating in space from the current figure of $1,000 a pound for a payload delivered in orbit by the Saturn V, down to a level of somewhere between $20 and $50 a pound. By so doing we can open up a whole new era of space exploration. Therefore, the challenge before this symposium and before all of us in the Air Force and NASA in the weeks and months ahead is to be sure that we can implement a system that is capable of doing just that. Let me outline three areas which, in my view, are critical to the achievement of these objectives. One is the development of an engine that will provide sufficient specific impulse, with adequate margin to propel its own weight and the desired payload. A second technical problem is the development of the reentry heat shield, so that we can reuse that heat shield time after time with minimal refurbishment and testing. The third general critical development area is a checkout and control system which provides autonomous operation by the crew without major support from the ground and which will allow low cost of maintenance and repair. Of the three, the latter may be a greater challenge than the first two. Specific impulse (usually abbreviated Isp) is a way to describe the efficiency of rocket and jet engines. ...

The 1972 NASA/GAO REPORT TO THE CONGRESS, Cost-Benefit Analysis Used In Support Of The Space Shuttle Program states:^[2]

NASA has proposed that a space shuttle be developed for U.S. Space Transportation needs for NASA, the Department of Defense (DOD), and other users in the 1980s.The primary objective of the Space Shuttle Program is to provide a new space transportation capability that will:

• reduce substantially the cost of space operations and
• provide a future capability designed to support a wide range of scientific, defense, and commercial uses.

Development

During early shuttle development there was great debate about the optimal shuttle design that best balanced capability, development cost and operating cost. Ultimately the current design was chosen, using a reusable winged orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and an expendable external tank.^[1] The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... A Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ...

The Space Shuttle program was formally launched on January 5, 1972, when President Nixon announced that NASA would proceed with the development of a reusable Space Shuttle system.^[1] The final design was less costly to build and less technically ambitious than earlier fully reusable designs. The initial design parameters included a larger external fuel tank, which would have been carried to orbit, where it could be used as a section of a space station, but this idea was killed due to budgetary and political considerations. is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The prime contractor for the program was North American Aviation (later Rockwell International, now Boeing), the same company responsible for building the Apollo Command/Service Module. The contractor for the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters was Morton Thiokol (now part of Alliant Techsystems), for the external tank, Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin), and for the Space shuttle main engines, Rocketdyne (now Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, part of United Technologies).^[1] North American Aviation was a major US aircraft manufacturer. ... Rockwell International was the ultimate incarnation of a series of companies under the sphere of influence of Willard Rockwell, who had made his fortune after the invention and successful launch of a new bearing system for truck axles in 1919. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661) is a major aerospace and defense corporation, originally founded by William Edward Boeing. ... The Command/Service Module (CSM) was a spacecraft built for NASA by North American Aviation. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... A Trident C-4 FBM launches and fires its Thiokol solid rocket first stage Thiokol (variously Thiokol Chemical Company, Morton-Thiokol Inc. ... Alliant Techsystems NYSE: ATK is a major US aerospace and defense contractor with sales of approximately USD $3. ... A Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ... Martin Marietta Corporation was founded in 1961 through the merger of The Martin Company and American-Marietta Corporation. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter. ... F-1 rocket engine Rocketdyne is a United States company that designs and produces rocket engines that use liquid propellants. ... Pratt & Whitney is an American aircraft engine manufacturer whose products are widely used in both civil and military aircraft. ... United Technologies Corporation (UTC) (NYSE: UTX) is a major multinational corporation based in Hartford, Connecticut. ...

The first complete orbiter was originally planned to be named Constitution, but a massive write-in campaign from fans of the Star Trek television series convinced the White House to change the name to Enterprise.^[3] Amid great fanfare, the Enterprise was rolled out on September 17, 1976, and later conducted a successful series of glide-approach and landing tests that were the first real validation of the design. This article is about the entire Star Trek franchise. ... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The first fully functional Shuttle Orbiter was the Columbia, built in Palmdale, California. It was delivered to Kennedy Space Center on March 25, 1979, and was first launched on April 12, 1981—the 20th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space flight—with a crew of two. Challenger was delivered to KSC in July 1982, Discovery in November 1983, and Atlantis in April 1985. Challenger was destroyed during ascent due to O-Ring failure on the right SRB on January 28, 1986, with the loss of all seven astronauts on board. Endeavour was built to replace Challenger (using spare parts originally intended for the other orbiters) and delivered in May 1991; it was first launched a year later. Seventeen years after Challenger, Columbia was lost, with all seven crew members, during reentry on February 1, 2003, and has not been replaced. Out of the five fully functional shuttle orbiters built, three remain. Motto: Aerospace Capital of America Location of Palmdale in Los Angeles County, California Coordinates: , Country United States of America State California County Los Angeles Government  - Mayor James C. Ledford Jr. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... “Gagarin” redirects here. ... Vostok 1 (Russian: , meaning Orient-1 or East-1) was the first human spaceflight. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia being the first. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... For further information about Columbias mission and crew, see STS-107. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Shuttle applications

Current and past Space Shuttle's applications include:

• Crew rotation and servicing of Mir and the International Space Station (ISS)
• Manned servicing missions, such as to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
• Manned experiments in Low Earth orbit (LEO)
• Carried to LEO:
  • Large satellites — including the HST
  • Components for the construction of the ISS
  • Supplies in Spacehab modules or Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules
• Carried satellites with a booster, the Payload Assist Module (PAM-D) or the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), to the point where the booster sends the satellite to:
  • A higher Earth orbit; these have included:
    • Chandra X-ray Observatory
    • Many TDRS satellites
    • Two DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) communications satellites in one mission
    • A Defense Support Program satellite
  • An interplanetary orbit; these have included:
    • Magellan probe
    • Galileo spacecraft
    • Ulysses probe

For other uses, see Mir (disambiguation). ... ISS redirects here. ... The Hubble Space Telescope (HST; also known colloquially as the Hubble or just Hubble) is a space telescope that was carried into Earth orbit by the Space Shuttle in April 1990. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... This article is about artificial satellites. ... SPACEHAB is an aerospace company based out of Arlington, Virginia that has had several modules fly aboard the Space Shuttle. ... March 10, 2001 - The Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module rests in Discoverys payload bay in this view taken from the ISS by a crew member using a digital still camera during STS-102. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... The Chandra X-ray Observatory is a satellite launched on STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999. ... First Generation TDRS Second Generation TDRS A Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) is a one of a network of communications satellites used by NASA and other United States government agencies for communication to satellites or the International Space Station. ... Painting of a DSP satellite on station. ... Magellan spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center The Magellan spacecraft carried out a mission from 1989-1994, orbiting Venus from 1990-1994. ... Galileo is prepared for mating with the IUS booster Galileo being deployed after being launched by the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-34 mission Galileo was an unmanned spacecraft sent by NASA to study the planet Jupiter and its moons. ... Ulysses spacecraft Ulysses is an unmanned probe designed to study the Sun at all latitudes. ...

Flight statistics

(as of 21 August 2007) “Miles” redirects here. ... “km” redirects here. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia being the first. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

* STS-80, a flight during November 1996. STS-80 is a Space Shuttle program mission. ...

** Information for STS-117 not yet available, last updated 22 December 2006. Information for STS-118 not included either, 5,274,977 mi (8,489,253 km) as of _______. is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

† No longer in service (Destroyed)

Other shuttles

The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ...

Disasters

Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds after liftoff.

As of 2007, two Shuttles have been destroyed in 120 missions, both with the loss of the entire crew (14 astronauts total): Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3555x2879, 1327 KB) Summary Short Description: Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3555x2879, 1327 KB) Summary Short Description: Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off. ...

• Challenger — lost 73 seconds after liftoff, STS-51-L, January 28, 1986

Further information: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster

• Columbia — lost approximately 16 minutes before its expected landing, STS-107, February 1, 2003

Further information: Space Shuttle Columbia disaster

This gives a 2% death rate per astronaut-flight, and an average failure rate of more than 1 every 60 missions. The original disaster potential, though disaster is not defined as fatal or non-fatal, was estimated during Shuttle development at one every 75 missions. 87 successful missions were flown between STS-51-L and STS-107. Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia being the first. ... The launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission 51L/STS-33, the 25th of the STS (Space Transportation System) program, began at an estimated time of 16:38:00. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... For more on the accident, see Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For further information about Columbias mission and crew, see STS-107. ...

Current status

After the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, the International Space Station operated on a skeleton crew of two for more than two years and was serviced primarily by Russian spacecraft. While the "Return to Flight" mission STS-114 in 2005 was successful, a similar piece of foam from a different portion of the tank was shed. Although the debris did not strike the orbiter, the program was grounded once again for this reason. For further information about Columbias mission and crew, see STS-107. ... STS-114 was the first return to flight Space Shuttle mission following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. ...

The second "Return to Flight" mission, STS-121, launched on July 4, 2006, at 2:37:55 p.m. (EDT), after two previous launches were scrubbed because of lingering thunderstorms and high winds around the launch pad and the launch took place despite objections from its chief engineer and safety head. A five-inch (13 cm) crack in the foam insulation of the external tank gave cause for concern; however, the Mission Management Team gave the go for launch.^[4] This mission increased the ISS crew to three. Discovery touched down successfully on July 17, 2006 at 9:14:43 a.m. (EDT) on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center. This article is becoming very long. ... is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... is the 198th day of the year (199th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ...

Following the success of STS-121, seven missions have been completed without major foam problems, and the construction of ISS has resumed. (During the STS-118 mission in August 2007, the orbiter was again struck by a foam fragment on liftoff, but this was a very small damage compared to the damage sustained to Columbia.) This article is becoming very long. ... STS-118 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ...

On October 31, 2006, NASA announced approval of a shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. This mission is designated STS-125 and is scheduled for August 28, 2008. is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... The Hubble Space Telescope (HST; also known colloquially as the Hubble or just Hubble) is a space telescope that was carried into Earth orbit by the Space Shuttle in April 1990. ... STS-125 is a planned Space Shuttle mission to be flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis. ... is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Shuttle program is scheduled for mandatory retirement in 2010. The Shuttle's planned successor is Project Constellation with its Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles and the Orion Spacecraft. NASA plans to launch 9 to 11 more shuttle missions before the program ceases.^[5] Project Constellation is NASAs current plan for space exploration. ... Ares I is the crew launch vehicle being developed by NASA as a component of Project Constellation. ... The Ares V (formerly known as the Cargo Launch Vehicle or CaLV) is the cargo launch component of Project Constellation. ... CEV with lunar lander CEV during a landing on earth CEV rocket, the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) (right) along side the heavy-lift Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV) rocket. ...

U.S. Representative Dave Weldon has introduced H.R. 4837, known as the SPACE Act.^[6] This legislation would keep the Space Shuttle flying past 2010 at a reduced rate until the Orion spacecraft is ready to replace it. It would allow both the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer as well as the completed-but-unused Centrifuge Accommodations Module to be launched to the ISS, which the current schedule does not allow. The bill is currently in committee.^[7] David Joseph Weldon, (known as Dave Weldon) (born August 31, 1953, Amityville, New York) is an American politician and physician. ... Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit Orion spacecraft with docked LSAM lunar lander Orion spacecraft approaching the ISS Orion during a landing on Earth The Orion Spacecraft (formerly known as the Crew Exploration Vehicle or CEV) is a proposed series of American manned and unmanned spacecraft, intended to replace the Space... The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a particle physics experiment to be mounted on the International Space Station designed to search for a various types of unusual matter. ... ISS Centrifuge Accommodations Module (NASA) The Centrifuge Accommodations Module (CAM) of the International Space Station provides controlled gravity for experiments and the capability to: Expose a variety of biological specimens to artifical gravity levels between 0. ...

Since 2005, the manager of the Space Shuttle program has been Wayne Hale.

Costs

The total cost of the Shuttle program has been $145 billion as of early 2005 , and is estimated to be $174 billion when the Shuttle retires in 2010. NASA's budget for 2005 allocated 30%, or $5 billion, to Space Shuttle operations;^[8] this was decreased in 2006 to a request of $4.3 billion.^[9] Each year, the United States Congress passes a Federal Budget detailing where federal tax money will be spent in the coming year. ...

Per-launch costs can be measured by dividing the total cost over the life of the program (including buildings, facilities, training, salaries, etc) by the number of launches. With 115 missions (as of 6 August 2006), and a total cost of $150 billion ($145 billion as of early 2005 + $5 billion for 2005,^[8] this gives approximately $1.3 billion per launch. Another method is to calculate the incremental (or marginal) cost differential to add or subtract one flight — just the immediate resources expended/saved/involved in that one flight. This is about $60 million^[10][11]. is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early cost estimates of $118 per pound ($260/kg) of payload were based on marginal or incremental launch costs, and based on 1972 dollars and assuming a 65,000 pound (30 000 kg) payload capacity.^[12][13] Correcting for inflation, this equates to roughly $36 million incremental per launch costs. Compared to this, today's actual incremental per launch costs are about two thirds more, or $60 million per launch.

Criticism

Main article: Criticism of the Space Shuttle program

The Space Shuttle program has been criticized for failing to achieve its promised cost and utility goals, as well as design, cost, management, and safety issues.^[14] The primary negative criticisms of the Space Shuttle program are: It failed in the goal of greatly reducing the cost of space access (e. ...

After both the Challenger disaster and the Columbia disaster, high profile boards convened to investigate the accidents with both committees returning praise and serious critiques to the program and NASA management. One of the most famous of these criticisms came from Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman. For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... For further information about Columbias mission and crew, see STS-107. ... The Nobel Prize (Swedish: ) was established in Alfred Nobels will in 1895, and it was first awarded in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace in 1901. ... This article is about the physicist. ...

Terrestrial transportation vehicles

• The Crawler-Transporter carries the Mobile Launcher Platform and the Space Shuttle from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39.
• The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft are two modified Boeing 747s. Either can fly an orbiter from alternative landing sites back to Cape Canaveral.
• A 36-wheeled transport trailer, the Orbiter Transfer System, originally built for the U.S. Air Force's launch facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California (since then converted for Delta IV rockets) that would transport the orbiter from the landing facility to the launch pad, which allowed both "stacking" and launch without utilizing a separate VAB-style building and crawler-transporter roadway. Prior to the closing of the Vandenberg facility, orbiters were transported from the OPF to the VAB on its undercarriage, only to be raised when the orbiter was being lifted for attachment to the SRB/ET stack. The trailer allows the transportation of the orbiter from the OPF to either the SCA-747 "Mate-Demate" stand or the VAB without placing any additional stress on the undercarriage.
• The Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV), a modified airport "People Mover", is used to assist astronauts to egress from the orbiter after landing. Upon entering the CTV, astronauts can take off their launch and re-entry suits then proceed to chairs and beds for medical checks before being transported back to the crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building.
• The AstroVan is used to transport astronauts from the crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building to the launch pad on launch day. It is also used to transport astronauts back again from the Crew Transport Vehicle at the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Crawler-transporter #2 (Franz) in a December 2004 road test after track shoe replacement. ... A Crawler-Transporter carries a MLP atop. ... The Vehicle (originally Vertical) Assembly Building, or VAB, is a very large building located at in NASAs Kennedy Space Center, halfway between Jacksonville and Miami, and due east of Orlando on Merritt Island, on the Atlantic coast of Florida. ... Launch Complex Plan - 1963 Launch Complex 39A Launch Complex 39B with Discovery shuttle Launch Complex 39 actually refers to LC39A and LC39B at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island in Florida, USA, which are currently launch pads for the space shuttle. ... Discovery leaves Edwards AFB on the back of a Shuttle Carrier enroute to Kennedy Space Center in Florida Space Shuttle Columbia atop Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) N905NA, after the successful STS-32 mission, fly by the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). ... The Boeing 747, sometimes nicknamed the Jumbo Jet,[4][5] is a long-haul, widebody commercial airliner manufactured by Boeing in the United States. ... This article is about the area of Florida. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... Boeing Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) lifts off from Space Launch Complex Six (SLC-6) at Vandenberg AFB, California (Official photo by Thom Baur for the Boeing Company) Vandenberg Air Force Base (IATA: VBG, ICAO: KVBG) is a United States military installation with a spaceport, in Santa Barbara County, California... This article is about the U.S. state. ... It has been suggested that some sections of this article be split into a new article entitled Delta IV launches. ... The Operations and Checkout Building (previously known as the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB)) is a historic site on Merritt Island, Florida, United States. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Space Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) is a location where the Space Shuttle can land. ...

See also

• Human spaceflight
• List of human spaceflights
• List of space shuttle missions
• NASA Space Shuttle decision
• Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicle
• Shuttle SERV
• Space disaster
• Space exploration
• Space Shuttle abort modes
• Space Shuttle crews

Edward White on a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission. ... These chronological lists include all crewed spaceflights that reached an altitude of at least 100 km (the FAI definition of spaceflight), or were launched with that intention but failed. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... Even before the Apollo moon landing in 1969, in October 1968 NASA began early studies of space shuttle designs. ... Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle and the two Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicles proposed to replace the Shuttle. ... Shuttle SERV was a concept that was never realized, put forward in 1971 by Chrysler Corporation, for NASA Alternate Space Shuttle Concept programme. ... Space Shuttle Challenger was torn apart 73 seconds after launch due to hot gases escaping the SRBs cutting a hole into the external tank. ... Space exploration is the physical exploration of outer space, both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft. ... A Space Shuttle abort is an emergency procedure due to equipment failure on NASAs Space Shuttle, most commonly during ascent. ... This is a list of persons who served aboard Space Shuttle crews, arranged in chronological order by mission. ...

Fiction

• Space shuttles in fiction
• 'Shuttle' Game DOS-based shuttle simulator from the 1990s.
• Orbiter a freeware simulator that allows users to fly various spacecraft including the Shuttle.

Even before the first space shuttle was launched, science fiction filmmakers were featuring the craft in their productions. ... Orbiter is a closed source freeware space flight simulator for the Windows operating system. ...

Physics

• Atmospheric reentry
• Lifting body
• Reusable launch system
• Single-stage-to-orbit

“Reentry” redirects here. ... The lifting body is an aircraft configuration where the body itself produces lift. ... A reusable launch system (or RLV: reusable launch vehicle) is a launch vehicle which is capable of launching into space more than once. ... A single-stage to orbit (or SSTO) launcher describes an as-yet theoretical class of spacecraft designed to place a load into orbit as a self-contained vehicle without the use of multiple stages. ...

Similar spacecraft

• EADS Phoenix
• Hermes
• HOPE-X
• Kliper
• Military space shuttle
• Project Constellation
• Shuttle Buran program
• Martin Marietta Spacemaster

v • d • e Space Shuttle program Main articles Space Shuttle · Space Shuttle program Components Orbiter · Solid Rocket Booster · External Tank · Main Engines · Orbital Maneuvering System Orbiters Enterprise · Columbia · Challenger · Discovery · Atlantis · Endeavour Launch sites Kennedy Space Center LC-39 · Vandenberg Air Force Base · SLC-6 Developments Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle · Shuttle-C · Ares I · Ares V Testing Pathfinder · MPTA · MPTA-ET · ALT Other articles Missions (cancelled) · Decision to build · Crews · Abort modes · Space shuttles in fiction · Crawler-transporter · Shuttle Carrier Aircraft · Space Shuttle America (motion simulator ride) · Space Shuttle Explorer (shuttle replica)

v • d • e Space Shuttles US Space Shuttle program   Soviet Buran program Enterprise (OV-101, atmospheric tests, retired) Pathfinder (OV-098, ground tests) Columbia (OV-102, destroyed 2003) Challenger (OV-099, destroyed 1986) Discovery (OV-103, active) Atlantis (OV-104, active) Endeavour (OV-105, active) OK-GLI (Buran Analog BST-02, aerotester) Buran (Shuttle 1.01, destroyed 2002) Ptichka (Shuttle 1.02, 95–97% completed) Baikal (Shuttle 2.01, incomplete) Shuttle 2.02 (partially dismantled) Shuttle 2.03 (dismantled)

v • d • e United States government human spaceflight programs Active Space Shuttle · ISS (joint) · Project Constellation (future) Spaceflight Portal Previous X-15 (suborbital) · Mercury · Gemini · Apollo · Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (with USSR) · Skylab · Shuttle-Mir (with Russia) Canceled MISS · Orion (nuclear) · Dyna-Soar · Manned Orbital Laboratory · Space Station Freedom (now ISS) · Orbital Space Plane

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Hopper (spacecraft). ... Artists impression of the Hermes Shuttle A cutaway view of the Hermes Shuttle Hermes was a proposed mini-shuttle designed by the European Space Agency which was superficially similar to the US X-20. ... HOPE = H-II Orbiting Plane HOPE-X = HOPE-Experimental A joint venture between NASDA and NAL (both now part of JAXA), started in the 1980s as part of the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station, was cancelled in 2003. ... Russian media coverage of Kliper spacecraft - Russias Channel One TV network. ... A military space shuttle would be (if it existed) the oft-speculated-upon military equivalent of NASAs space shuttle. ... Project Constellation is NASAs current plan for space exploration. ... Model of Energia rocket with Buran shuttle The Soviet reusable spacecraft program Buran (Бура́н meaning snowstorm or blizzard in Russian) began in 1976 at TsAGI as a response to the United States Space Shuttle program. ... The Martin Marietta Spacemaster was a proposed configuration for the Space Shuttle, which featured an X-24-derived orbiter, and an unusual “catamaran style” booster stage. ... This article is about the space vehicle. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... A Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter. ... An OMS pod detached from a Shuttle for maintenance. ... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia being the first. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... Launch Complex 39 is a large site and a collection of facilities at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island in Florida, USA, originally built for the Apollo program, and later modified to support Space Shuttle operations. ... Boeing Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) lifts off from Space Launch Complex Six (SLC-6) at Vandenberg AFB, California (Official photo by Thom Baur for the Boeing Company) Vandenberg Air Force Base (IATA: VBG, ICAO: KVBG) is a United States military installation with a spaceport, in Santa Barbara County, California... First launch of a Boeing Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) from SLC-6 on June 27, 2006 (Official photo by Thom Baur for Boeing) Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, nicknamed Slick Six) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was a launch pad and support area designed for the... Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Ares I, Ares V, and Ares IV. The Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle, or simply Shuttle-Derived Vehicle (SDV), is a term describing one of a wide array of concepts that have been developed for creating space launch vehicles from the components, technology and... An artists conception of a Shuttle-C launching at night. ... Ares I is the crew launch vehicle being developed by NASA as a component of Project Constellation. ... The Ares V (formerly known as the Cargo Launch Vehicle or CaLV) is the cargo launch component of Project Constellation. ... The Space Shuttle Orbiter Pathfinder (honorary Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-098) is a Space Shuttle simulator made of steel and wood. ... Main Propulsion Test Article being lifted onto its test stand in 1977. ... The Main Propulsion Test Article ET was built by NASA to be used in conjuction with MPTA-098 for structural tests of the Space Shuttle prior to construction of flyable craft. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... It has been suggested that STS-61-H be merged into this article or section. ... Even before the Apollo moon landing in 1969, in October 1968 NASA began early studies of space shuttle designs. ... This is a list of persons who served aboard Space Shuttle crews, arranged in chronological order by mission. ... A Space Shuttle abort is an emergency procedure due to equipment failure on NASAs Space Shuttle, most commonly during ascent. ... Even before the first space shuttle was launched, science fiction filmmakers were featuring the craft in their productions. ... Crawler-transporter #2 (Franz) in a December 2004 road test after track shoe replacement. ... Discovery leaves Edwards AFB on the back of a Shuttle Carrier enroute to Kennedy Space Center in Florida Space Shuttle Columbia atop Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) N905NA, after the successful STS-32 mission, fly by the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). ... Space Shuttle America viewed from Sky Trek Tower Space Shuttle America (also known as Space Shuttle America - The Next Century) is a motion simulator ride at Six Flags Great America that opened in 1994. ... The Space Shuttle Explorer is a full-scale replica of a Space Shuttle. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 260 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (458 × 1053 pixel, file size: 121 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Diagram of US space shuttle in launch configuration File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... CCCP redirects here. ... This article is about the Buran space program in general. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 247 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (700 × 1700 pixel, file size: 138 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Diagram of Soviet space shuttle in launch configuration File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... The Space Shuttle Orbiter Pathfinder (honorary Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-098) is a Space Shuttle simulator made of steel and wood. ... For further information about Columbias mission and crew, see STS-107. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia being the first. ... For further information about Challengers mission and crew, see STS-51-L. The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... The OK-GLI (Buran Analog BST-02) was a test vehicle (Buran aerodynamic analogue) in the Shuttle Buran program. ... The Buran spacecraft, serial number 11F35 K1, was the only fully completed and operational space shuttle from the Soviet Unions Buran program. ... Ptichka (Птичка meaning little bird in Russian) is an informal nickname for the second space shuttle to be produced as part of the Buran program. ... 2. ... 2. ... 2. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... Human spaceflight Mercury program Gemini program Apollo program Apollo-Soyuz (Soviet Union partnership) Skylab Space Shuttle Shuttle-Mir Program (Russian partnership) International Space Station (working together with Russia, Canada, ESA, and JAXA along with co-operators, ASI and Brazil) Orion Program Satellite and Robotic space missions Earth Observing Explorer I... ISS redirects here. ... Project Constellation is NASAs current plan for space exploration. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The North American X-15 rocket plane was part of the USAF/NASA/USN X-series of experimental aircraft, including also the Bell X-1. ... A sub-orbital spaceflight (or sub-orbital flight) is a spaceflight that does not involve putting a vehicle into orbit. ... Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States. ... Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program of the United States of America. ... This article is about the series of human spaceflight missions. ... The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first joint flight of the U.S. and Soviet space programs. ... For other uses, see Skylab (disambiguation). ... The Shuttle–Mir Program was a collaborative space program between Russia and the United States, which involved American Space Shuttles visiting the Russian space station Mir, Russian cosmonauts flying on the shuttle and American astronauts engaging in long-duration expeditions aboard Mir. ... Man In Space Soonest was a American program to put an astronaut into outer space before the Soviet Union would be able to. ... An artists conception of the NASA reference design for the Project Orion spacecraft powered by nuclear propulsion. ... Artists conception of the X-20 during re-entry The X-20 Dyna-Soar (Dynamic Soarer) was a USAF program to develop a spaceplane that could be used for a variety of military missions, including reconnaissance, bombing, space rescue, satellite maintenance, and sabotage of enemy satellites. ... MOL test launch Nov. ... Space Station Freedom was the name given to NASAs project to construct a permanently-manned earth-orbiting space station. ... // Background The Orbital Space Plane program (now defunct and replaced by the Spiral series of CEV — Crew Exploration Vehicles) was designed to support the International Space Station requirements for crew rescue, crew transport and contingency cargo such as supplies, food and other needed equipment. ...

Notes

is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Space. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Space. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

• Reference manual
• NASA Space Shuttle News Reference - 1981 (PDF document)
• Orbiter Vehicles
• Shuttle Program Funding 1992 - 2002
• Shuttle development costs and history, CAIB transcript 4-23-03
• R.A.Pielke, "Space Shuttle Value open to Interpretation", Aviation Week Magazine, issue 26. July 1993, p.57 (PDF file): [2]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Space Shuttle

• Official NASA Mission Site
• NASA Johnson Space Center Space Shuttle Site
• Official Space Shuttle Mission Archives
• NASA Space Shuttle Multimedia Gallery & Archives
  • Shuttle audio, video, and images – searchable archives from STS-67 (1995) to present
  • Kennedy Space Center Media Gallery – video/audio/photos of shuttle pre-launch, launch, landing, and behind-the-scenes shuttle processing activities
• Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding the Space Shuttle
• U.S. Space Flight History: Space Shuttle Program
• Weather criteria for Shuttle launch
• Consolidated Launch Manifest: Space Shuttle Flights and ISS Assembly Sequence