#SPACE SHUTTLE ENTERPRISE LAUNCH DATE FULL#

The shuttle is now on display at the Steven F. Discovery performed both research and International Space Station (ISS) assembly missions, and also carried the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit among other satellites.ĭiscovery was the first operational shuttle to be retired, followed by Endeavour and then Atlantis.

#SPACE SHUTTLE ENTERPRISE LAUNCH DATE FULL#

It embarked on its final mission, STS-133, on February 24, 2011, and touched down for the last time at Kennedy Space Center on March 9, having spent a cumulative total of nearly a full year in space.

ĭiscovery became the third operational orbiter to enter service, preceded by Columbia and Challenger. Nearly 25,000 heat-resistant tiles cover the orbiter to protect it from high temperatures on re-entry. The Space Shuttle launch vehicle had three main components: the Space Shuttle orbiter, a single-use central fuel tank, and two reusable solid rocket boosters. Over 27 years of service it launched and landed 39 times, aggregating more spaceflights than any other spacecraft to date. Its first mission, STS-41-D, flew from August 30 to September 5, 1984. The spaceplane was one of the orbiters from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the third of five fully operational orbiters to be built. Space Shuttle Discovery ( Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is a retired American spacecraft. Udvar-Hazy Center Discovery rollout ceremony in October 1983 Discovery and SCA 905 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, November 6, 1983 Missionĭeployment of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.Space Shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009) Cronological list of Space Shuttle Missionsīrief information about completed space shuttle missions. Spacelab Transfer Tunnel on display at the Udvar Hazy Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009) Spacelab Transfer Tunnel Spacelab Subsystems Igloo on display at the Udvar Hazy Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009) Spacelab Subsystems Igloo Spacelab Pressurized Module on display at the Udvar Hazy Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009) Spacelabĭeveloped by ESA, for use with the American space shuttle, the Spacelab program consisted of a modular system for conducting research in low Earth orbit. Manned Maneuvering Unit on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2007) Manned Maneuvering Unit at Udvar Hazy Manned Maneuvering Unit on display at the United States Space and Rocket Center in Alabama. Use of MMUs was discontinued after the Challenger disaster. The MMU assisted with satellite retrieval and servicing during several early shuttle flights. Using pressurized nitrogen as a propellant, the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) allowed astronauts to perform un-tethered spacewalks away from the shuttle. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008) Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) The Centaur G-Prime program was cancelled after the Challenger disaster in 1986. Developed from the Centaur upper stage, the G-Prime version was to be used with the American Space Shuttle. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2006) Centaur G-Prime Upper StageĬentaur G-Prime Upper Stage on display at the United States Space and Rocket Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009) External Tank on display at the United States Space and Rocket Center External Tank on display at the KSC visitor center The Space Shuttle External Tank supplies liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for the space shuttle main engines. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008) Enterprise at Udvar Hazey The Enterprise is currently on display at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Udvar-Hazy Center when these photos were taken. Space Shuttle Enterprise was on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F.

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