# space shuttle

> spacecraft capable of repeatedly traveling between destinations in outer space carrying people or cargo

**Wikidata**: [Q125217474](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125217474)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/space-shuttle-q125217474

## Summary
A space shuttle is a spacecraft capable of repeatedly traveling between destinations in outer space carrying people or cargo. It is designed as a reusable launch vehicle, distinguishing it from single-use rockets. The term typically refers to NASA's Space Shuttle program, though other similar systems like the Soviet Buran-class orbiter also existed.

## Key Facts
- The Space Shuttle was a partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011
- Five operational orbiters were built: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour
- The Space Shuttle could carry up to eight astronauts and 50,000 pounds of payload to low Earth orbit
- Each orbiter was approximately 122 feet long with a wingspan of 78 feet
- The system consisted of the orbiter vehicle, two solid rocket boosters, and an external fuel tank
- The Space Shuttle was the first operational orbital spacecraft designed for reuse
- The program completed 135 missions over 30 years of service
- The Space Shuttle was used to deploy and service satellites, conduct scientific research, and help construct the International Space Station

## FAQs

### Q: What was the purpose of the Space Shuttle?
A: The Space Shuttle was designed to provide routine access to low Earth orbit for deploying satellites, conducting scientific research, and supporting space station construction. It was intended to make space travel more economical through reusability compared to expendable launch vehicles.

### Q: How many Space Shuttles were built?
A: Six Space Shuttle orbiters were built in total: Enterprise (test vehicle), Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Five were fully operational, while Enterprise was used for atmospheric test flights and never flew in space.

### Q: Why did the Space Shuttle program end?
A: The Space Shuttle program ended in 2011 due to high operational costs, aging infrastructure, and the completion of the International Space Station. The final mission, STS-135, flew in July 2011 with Atlantis, after which NASA transitioned to commercial crew programs and deep space exploration systems.

## Why It Matters
The Space Shuttle represented a revolutionary approach to space transportation, introducing the concept of partially reusable spacecraft to reduce the cost of accessing space. For three decades, it served as humanity's primary means of conducting routine operations in low Earth orbit, enabling satellite deployments, scientific research, and the construction of the International Space Station. The program advanced technologies in thermal protection systems, reusable rocket engines, and orbital operations that continue to influence spacecraft design today. Despite its tragic losses (Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003), the Space Shuttle demonstrated the feasibility of routine space operations and helped establish the foundation for modern commercial spaceflight. Its legacy lives on in current efforts to develop fully reusable launch systems and in the infrastructure it helped build in orbit.

## Notable For
- First partially reusable spacecraft system to achieve operational status
- Only spacecraft capable of both launching vertically and landing horizontally
- Largest spacecraft ever built, with a liftoff weight of 4.5 million pounds
- First spacecraft to retrieve and repair satellites in orbit
- Served as the primary vehicle for constructing the International Space Station

## Body
### Design and Components
The Space Shuttle system consisted of three main components: the orbiter vehicle, two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), and an external fuel tank. The orbiter was the reusable spaceplane that carried crew and payload, measuring 122.17 feet in length with a wingspan of 78.06 feet. It was constructed primarily of aluminum alloy and protected by thousands of silica tiles and reinforced carbon-carbon panels for thermal protection during reentry.

### Operational Capabilities
The Space Shuttle could carry up to eight astronauts and 50,000 pounds of payload to low Earth orbit. It operated at altitudes between 115 and 400 miles and could remain in orbit for up to 17 days, though typical missions lasted 7-10 days. The orbiter was equipped with three main engines that burned liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the external tank, producing 375,000 pounds of thrust each at sea level.

### Missions and Achievements
Over 135 missions, the Space Shuttle deployed numerous satellites including the Hubble Space Telescope, conducted hundreds of scientific experiments in microgravity, and was instrumental in building the International Space Station. The program also facilitated international cooperation, carrying astronauts from 16 different countries and partnering with space agencies worldwide.

### Technical Innovations
The Space Shuttle introduced several groundbreaking technologies, including the first reusable orbital spacecraft, advanced thermal protection systems using silica tiles, and the first rocket engines designed for multiple uses. The orbiter's aerodynamic design allowed it to glide unpowered to landing after reentry, a capability unique among orbital spacecraft of its era.

### Legacy and Impact
The Space Shuttle program established the operational framework for routine space access that influences current spaceflight operations. Its development costs exceeded $40 billion (in 1970s dollars), but it demonstrated the viability of reusable spacecraft concepts. The program's experience with reusable thermal protection systems, rocket engines, and operational procedures continues to inform the development of next-generation spacecraft like SpaceX's Starship and NASA's Space Launch System.