The space shuttle was a winged rocket plane operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011. A space shuttle’s orbiter could land on ordinary airfields, and so it could be used many times. NASA’s five space shuttles flew 135 missions. The final mission of the space shuttle program ended July 21, 2011.
Space shuttles were used to launch satellites and to recover damaged ones and return them to Earth. Shuttles also carried people and supplies into space to help build the International Space Station.
Space shuttles were powered by twin solid rocket boosters and powerful engines. After launch, the empty rocket boosters would fall away and parachute into the ocean. They were then recovered to be used again.
Just before going into orbit, the shuttle’s giant main fuel tank would fall away. Smaller fuel tanks provided the rest of the energy needed. When the shuttle returned to Earth, it glided down using just its wings.
Flight crews did most of their work on the flight deck. They prepared meals and slept on the middeck. The shuttle’s cargo was carried in the payload bay.
