The NASA Space Shuttle program began as Space Shuttle Columbia took its maiden voyage. This was the world’s first reusable spacecraft; it lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle lasted ...

The space shuttle system has been modified many times since the first launch of space shuttle Columbia in 1981. During the 1980s, major upgrade programs were established to respond to problems and ...

Log-in to bookmark & organize content - it's free! On February 1, 2003, after spending approximately two weeks in space, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart and disintegrated upon its reentry to ...

The STS-51L mission clears the tower at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 28, 1986. Credit: NASA / Courtesy Sign up for the Concord Monitor’s morning newsletter for ...

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union developed the Buran space shuttle, a massive 105 ton spacecraft designed to rival and potentially surpass America’s NASA Space Shuttle program. Built during one ...