# Space Shuttle orbiter

> reusable spacecraft component of the Space Shuttle system

**Wikidata**: [Q1064394](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1064394)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_orbiter)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/space-shuttle-orbiter

## Summary
The Space Shuttle orbiter was the reusable spacecraft component of NASA's Space Shuttle system, designed to carry humans and cargo into low Earth orbit. It operated from 1981 to 2011 as part of the United States' human spaceflight program, serving as both a launch vehicle and a spaceplane capable of returning to Earth for reuse.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Reusable spaceplane and crewed spacecraft component of the Space Shuttle system.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer**: Rockwell International.
- **Dimensions**:
  - Length: 37.24 meters
  - Height: 17.25 meters
  - Wingspan: 23.79 meters
  - Empty weight: 74,844 kilograms
- **Operational Period**: 1981–2011 (maiden flight: April 12, 1981; last flight: July 8, 2011).
- **Total Orbiters Built**: 6 (Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour).
- **Total Missions**: 135 space missions, completing 21,152 orbits.
- **Total Distance Traveled**: 872,906,380 kilometers.
- **Notable Features**: Equipped with RS-25 engines (3 per orbiter) and Orbital Maneuvering System (2 per orbiter).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Space Shuttle orbiter?
A: The Space Shuttle orbiter was designed to transport astronauts and cargo to and from low Earth orbit, supporting missions like satellite deployment, scientific research, and construction of the International Space Station (ISS).

### Q: How many Space Shuttle orbiters were built?
A: Six orbiters were built: Enterprise (test vehicle), Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour.

### Q: When did the Space Shuttle program end?
A: The program concluded on July 8, 2011, with the final flight of Atlantis (STS-135).

### Q: Were all Space Shuttle orbiters operational?
A: No. Enterprise was a test vehicle and never flew in space. Columbia and Challenger were lost in accidents (1986 and 2003, respectively).

### Q: What replaced the Space Shuttle orbiter?
A: After retirement, NASA transitioned to commercial crew programs (e.g., SpaceX Dragon) and the Space Launch System (SLS) for deep-space missions.

## Why It Matters
The Space Shuttle orbiter revolutionized human spaceflight by introducing reusability, significantly reducing costs compared to single-use spacecraft. It enabled the construction of the ISS, deployed critical satellites (e.g., Hubble Space Telescope), and conducted groundbreaking scientific research in microgravity. As the first operational spaceplane, it bridged the gap between aviation and astronautics, demonstrating the feasibility of winged spacecraft for atmospheric re-entry. Its legacy influenced modern reusable launch systems like SpaceX’s Starship and inspired global advancements in space technology.

## Notable For
- **First Reusable Spacecraft**: The orbiter was the first spacecraft designed for multiple flights, reducing the cost of space access.
- **Hubble Space Telescope Deployment**: Launched and serviced the Hubble telescope, enabling unprecedented astronomical discoveries.
- **International Space Station (ISS) Construction**: Played a pivotal role in assembling the ISS, the largest human-made structure in space.
- **Highest Number of Flights**: Discovery holds the record for the most flights (39) among the orbiters.
- **Tragic Losses**: Columbia (2003) and Challenger (1986) disasters led to major safety reforms in NASA’s human spaceflight programs.

## Body
### Design and Specifications
The Space Shuttle orbiter was a winged spacecraft designed to launch vertically atop the Space Shuttle stack (orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket boosters) and land horizontally like an airplane. Key specifications:
- **Structure**: Aluminum airframe with a thermal protection system to withstand re-entry temperatures.
- **Engines**: Three RS-25 liquid-fueled engines (each producing ~1.8 MN thrust at liftoff).
- **Payload Capacity**: Up to 24,400 kg to low Earth orbit.
- **Crew Capacity**: Typically 5–7 astronauts.

### Operational History
- **Maiden Flight**: STS-1 (April 12, 1981) aboard *Columbia*.
- **Major Missions**:
  - STS-31 (1990): Deployed the Hubble Space Telescope.
  - STS-71 (1995): First Shuttle-Mir docking, marking U.S.-Russia space cooperation.
  - STS-95 (1998): John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, returned to space at age 77.
- **Retirement**: The program ended after STS-135 (July 2011) due to high operational costs and shifts in NASA’s priorities.

### Orbiters and Their Fates
1. **Enterprise**: Test vehicle; never flew in space. Now displayed at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
2. **Columbia**: Destroyed during re-entry (STS-107, 2003).
3. **Challenger**: Exploded during launch (STS-51-L, 1986).
4. **Discovery**: Most-flown orbiter (39 missions); retired to the Smithsonian.
5. **Atlantis**: Final flight (STS-135); displayed at Kennedy Space Center.
6. **Endeavour**: Built to replace Challenger; now at the California Science Center.

### Legacy and Influence
The orbiter’s reusability concept paved the way for modern spacecraft like SpaceX’s Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner. Its thermal protection system and aerodynamic design remain benchmarks in aerospace engineering. The program also highlighted the risks of human spaceflight, leading to improved safety protocols.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-jul-05-la-fi-shuttle-legacy-20110705-story.html)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/aerosim/LessonHS97/SpaceShuttle.html)
4. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/566250main_SHUTTLE%20ERA%20FACTS_040412.pdf)
5. [Source](https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4225/diagrams/shuttle/shuttle-diagram-1.htm)
6. BabelNet
7. KBpedia