THE SPACE SHUTTLE

Shuttle Orbiter

The Space Shuttle

Primary objective is to improve access to
space
First flight was April 1981 with astronauts
Young and Crippen
Has flown approximately 100 missions
carrying 1.5 million pounds of cargo and
over 600 major payloads

The Space Shuttle

Worlds first and only reusable space
vehicle
Can transport people, materials, equipment
and spacecraft into orbit
Also used to service and repair satellites
and observatories and to conduct medical
and scientific experiments

Space Shuttle Components

Orbiter-can carry up to 7 astronauts and the
payload in its 60-foot long cargo bay
(Atlantis, Discovery & Endeavour)
External tank (154 feet) which stores nearly
half million pounds of liquid oxygen and
hydrogen
Solid rocket boosters which generate nearly
6 million pounds of thrust; jettisoned 2
minutes into flight.

Shuttle Missions

Astronomy and Microgravity Science

Astrophysics and Planetary Science
Atmospheric Science
Communications
Geophysics and Solar Physics
Life Science Research
National Security

International Commitments
The Shuttle has flown payloads and
astronauts from may different countries
including: Australia, Italy, Belgium,
Mexico, Canada, The Netherlands,
Germany, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia,
France, Switzerland, India, Spain,
Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.