The Launch Top of Page

The first Space Shuttle, name Columbia, took off

into space on April 12, 1981.

The Space Shuttle takes off from a launch pad

vertically, sitting on its tail, just like a rocket.
Attached to the Space Shuttle are two booster
rockets, and a large fuel tank. These help propel the
Space Shuttle into space.

Within minutes of the launch, the booster rockets are

exhausted and are ejected. Parachutes open from the
booster rockets and slowly lower them into the
Ocean. There they are picked up by a waiting ship.

This leaves the shuttle and the fuel tank. At about 75

miles above the Earth, the external fuel tank is now
empty and separates. It falls back to Earth and lands
in the India Ocean.

Two small rockets now ignite to steer the shuttle in

space.

The Cargo Bay Top of Page

The Space Shuttle has a large

cargo bay. It is capable of
carrying a large payload, such
as a satellite, into space. The
doors open to allow a satellite
to be launched into orbit.

The cargo bay can also be

used to carry laboratory
equipment to perform
experiments in space.

The Space Arm Top of Page

 The shuttle also has a remote
manipulator arm, built by
Canada. This arm is used to
lift a payload, such as a
satellite out of the cargo bay.

The remote manipulator arm

can also be used to retreive a
broken satellite from space. It
can put the satellite back into
the cargo bay allowing it to
be returned to Earth for
repair.

Walking in Space Top of Page

Since there is zero gravity

and air in space, the shuttle
astronauts must wear a space
suit. The space suit is a fully
self contained life support
system.

The shuttle astronauts can

also move around in space
using a manned maneuvering
unit. This uses gas powered
jets to help the astronaut to
move in different directions.
The manned maneuvering
unit is useful in recovering or
repairing broken satellites.

Landing on Earth Top of Page

 The Space Shuttle became
the first vehicle to not only
take off for space, but also to
return from space. Previous
rockets could only be used
once.

When the space shuttle re-

enters the atmosphere, it
glides through the air just
like an airplane. As it gets
close to the ground, it lowers
its landing gear. The Space
Shuttle then lands
horizontally on a runway,
just like an ordinary airplane.

This ability to take off and

land makes the Space Shuttle
the first re-usable space craft.

Transporting the Top of Page

Shuttle
Occasionally the Space
Shuttle must be moved
between space centers. To do
this, the shuttle is carried
piggyback on a converted
Boeing 747 jet.