Kids learn about the space shuttle challenger crash including the shuttle before the disaster, issues before the launch, what went wrong, the crew, schoolteacher christa mcauliffe, and the aftermath. Pdf space shuttle design and lessons learned researchgate. And it marked a change in americas space program, replacing rockets with a planelike, reusable orbiterthat glides home for a landing. In this worksheet students will sequence the stages of a space shuttle mission and label the parts of an orbiter. The shuttle was launched out of earths gravity and into space by 3 rocket engines on the back of the orbiter along with help from 2 long white solid rocket boosters also called srbs fuel for the shuttle was stored in the large, usually orange, external fuel tank also called et. Space shuttles were used to carry astronauts and cargo into space.
The space shuttle was approved as a national program in 1972. The buran spacecraft was a space shuttle developed by the soviet union in response to nasas space shuttle program. Technical specialists from outside the space shuttle program have been assigned as formal. This educolor page includes important dates and a picture to color. Nasas space shuttle fleet will retire after one final mission on atlantis, launching july 8. The space shuttle columbia mission sts58 will be the second spacelab flight dedicated to life sciences research.
The space shuttle also appears in a number of flight simulator and space flight simulator games such as microsoft space simulator, orbiter, and space shuttle mission 2007. As we say goodbye to the iconic reusable space planes, here are eight surprising shuttle facts to keep in mind. Learn where astronauts will appear, browse collecting guides, and read original space historyrelated daily reports. System sts, began its flight career with columbia roaring off. An insight into the design, construction and operation of the nasa space shuttle by david baker april 2011 designed between 1969 and 1972 and first flown into space in 1981, the nasa shuttle will have flown almost 140 missions by the time it is retired in 2011. The space shuttle was a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system that was. The endeavour was capable of orbital speeds of 27,870 kmh 17,318 mph and weighed a staggering 171,960 lbs 78,000 kg when empty. It is placed alongside the other remaining shuttles in u. Enterprise was built without engines and without the heat protection system needed for it to travel into space and return to the atmosphere. Fun space facts for kids cool, moon, planets, sun, crazy. It was the first space shuttle to fly into space, on april 12, 1981.
Space shuttle era facts facts nasas shuttle fleet achieved numerous firsts and opened up space to more people than ever before during the space shuttle programs 30 years of missions. The space shuttle system has been modified many times since the first launch of space shuttle columbia in 1981. This undated nasa handout image obtained 26 august, 2003, shows the crew of the us space shuttle columbias final flight, which crashed. Read cnn s space shuttle program fast facts for a look at the nasa program. Apr 18, 2012 criticizing the space shuttle is like punching america in the face.
This document is an exact hypertexting of the nsts news reference manual that was handed out to the press in september 1988. The california story is an introduction to the space shuttle orbiter endeavour. Cnn student news use this explainer to help students understand the history of the space shuttle program, a topic relevant to current news. Pdf space shuttle missions summary book collectspace. It carried a crew and cargo, and its missions included launching satellites and building space. On february 1, 2003, the space shuttle columbia broke up while returning sts107 to earth over texas.
Cargo such as satellites, parts of the international space station or scientific instruments were taken up into space by the space shuttle. While in orbit, the space shuttle travels around earth at a speed of. Space shuttle columbia, the first reusable spacecraft, was the oldest in the shuttle. Mar, 2020 space shuttle, partially reusable rocketlaunched vehicle designed to go into orbit around earth, to transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft, and to glide to a runway landing on its return to earths surface. It takes only 8 minutes for the space shuttle to accelerate to a speed of more than 17,000 miles per hour. Nasa suspended the shuttle program for several years, while the reasons for the disaster were investigated and corrected. The orbiter and solid rocket boosters can be flown again, but the external tank burns up during reentry into earths atmosphere following the shuttle launch. After all, its been a symbol of national pride for thirty years. Before the space shuttle, launching cargo into space was a oneway proposition. Other shuttle flights included the atlantis mission in october 1989, which deployed the galileo spacecraft that explored jupiter, and the june 2002 flight of endeavour, during which he participated in three space walks to help repair the robotic arm of the international space station. Smithsonian 3d scans nasa space shuttle discovery and. While in orbit, the space shuttle travels around earth at a speed of about 17,500 miles 28,000 kilometers per hour.
Nasa is planning to continue using the rs25 on the space shuttle s successor, the space launch system sls. The shuttle was indeed an engineering marvel on many counts. The enterprise was a prototype shuttle that sadly never actually made it into space. It was a unique spacecraft because it could be used again and again. The final shuttle mission planned, the sts5 launch of atlantis, is scheduled for july 8. The space shuttle program was suspended in the wake of the accident, and no shuttles were launched for nearly three years. The launch of space shuttle atlantis is the 5th and last in the 30yearold shuttle program, which will end when atlantis returns from its 12day. Space shuttles and its advancements seminar report, ppt. The space shuttle has been featured as a lego model, along with a large lego space shuttle model that was constructed by visitors at the ksc.
A list of all kinds of amazing, funny, and interesting space shuttle fun facts that are cool to know. These were missions involving science, physics, and astronomy as they were studied inside of the special space shuttle module. In 1986, the shuttle challenger exploded in flight and the entire crew was lost. The space shuttles were also laboratories and accomplished 22 spacelab missions. After several years, the space shuttle flew again and a new shuttle, endeavour, was built to replace challenger in the shuttle fleet. Today, the space shuttle program launched atlantis into orbit for the last time. After 20 years, the space shuttle endeavour lands in florida for a final time. It is human nature to explore, and space is the final frontier of exploring. Report to the president by the nasa human space flight. She made her first flight in may 1992, to deliver a satellite to space. Its official program name was space transportation system sts, taken from a 1969 plan for a system of reusable spacecraft of which it was the only item funded for development.
Space shuttle book space shuttle books space projects. Oct 20, 2015 after 30 years of service, nasas fleet of three space shuttles is standing down for good. On this website, there are many references to nasa in many of the articles and how this great organization contributes to space exploration. Two of the five space shuttles were destroyed during their time of space travel which is an insanely large failure rate for modern travel. Although over 600 astronauts have flown to outer space on the space shuttle.
The program rebounded in april 1990 with the successful mission of discovery. Ksc shuttle infrastructure equivalent to a small city facilities support kennedy space center 140,000 acres 300 generators, 60 ups units, 156 substations vehicle assembly building 8 acre footprint, 30,000 tons of air conditioning. National aeronautics and space administration nasa space shuttle era facts facts nasa s shuttle fleet achieved numerous firsts and opened up space to more people than ever before during the space shuttle programs 30 years of missions. It carried a crew and cargo, and its missions included launching satellites and building space stations. Explore space shuttles and its advancements with free download of seminar report and ppt in pdf and doc format. National aeronautics and space administration nasa space shuttle era factsn facts asas shuttle fleet achieved numerous firsts and opened up space to more people than ever before during the space shuttle program s 30 years of missions. Spacelab was a reusable laboratory constructed specifically for space shuttle flights and let scientists perform experiments in microgravity.
Educational article for students, schools, and teachers. Also in the 1990s, the space shuttle launched the hubble telescope into space. As of 2011, the iss has been docked by a nasa shuttle 37. Toward a history of the space shuttle an annotated bibliography, part 2 19922011 compiled by malinda k. The space shuttle, officially called the space transportation system sts, began its flight career with columbia roaring off. It took off like a rocket, but landed back on earth like a glider. Report to the president by the presidential commission on the space shuttle challenger accident june 6th, 1986 washington, d. Miller of the federal research division, library of congress nasa history program office office of communications nasa headquarters washington, dc monographs in aerospace history number 49.
From 1984 to 2012, discovery flew 39 earthorbital missions, spent a total of 365 days in space. It was the second loss of a shuttle in 1 shuttle flights. On february 1, 2003, the columbia broke up upon reentry during mission sts107, killing all seven crew members. Read some fun space facts for kids and find out more about astronomy, the moon, planets, our sun, the milky way galaxy, our universe and much more. The space shuttle was a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system that was operated from 1981 to 2011 by the national aeronautics and space administration nasa as part of the space shuttle program. The space shuttle the space shuttle and shuttle for flight. Together, the space shuttle orbiter, external tank and twin solid rocket boosters have approximately 2,506,450 parts. The space transportation system sts is the formal name of nasas space shuttle, consisting of an aircraftlike orbiter, two boosters and a huge external tank. The manual is based on nasa designs and actual mission logs of various space shuttle missions. Here are some interesting facts about the space shuttle. It was developed by nasa and made 5 spaceflights between 1981 and 2011. The sts64 mission will see the continuation of nasas get away special gas experiments program. The project gives an individual a chance to perform experiments in space on a shuttle mission.
So this page is a dedicated page to the space organization that is nasa and its amazing work. Launch of space shuttle columbia on 12 april 1981 at pad 39a for mission sts 1. It broke apart while reentering the earths atmosphere on february 1, 2003, killing all seven people who were on it at the time. During the 1980s, major upgrade programs were established to respond to problems and anomalies experienced during the initial flights and the challenger accident. Jul 01, 2011 space shuttle columbia lifts off from kennedy space center, on april 12, 1981. The length of the space shuttle is 184 feet and it weighs 4. Discovery was the third space shuttle orbiter to fly in space.
The california story includes images of endeavour under construction locally in. The main engine on the space shuttle weighs as much as a train locomotive, but puts out as much horse power as 39 locomotives. The shuttle was launched for the first time in 1981 and flew on more than missions. The aerojet rocketdyne rs25, also known as the space shuttle main engine ssme, is a liquidfuel cryogenic rocket engine that was used on nasas space shuttle. The space shuttle was the first piece of space exploration technology that was reusable. The space shuttle was the worlds first reusable spacecraft. The 21st century space shuttle nasafactsheet fs200003010jsc a familiar workhorse evolves into a safer, more capable spacecraft idden beneath its familiar shape, the space shuttle has undergone a metamorphosis. Space shuttle program payload bay payload users guide. Nasas shuttle fleet achieved numerous firsts and opened up space to more people than ever before during the space shuttle programs 30 years of missions. Apr 18, 2012 10 cool facts about nasas space shuttle discovery. It is online for historical purposes only and does not reflect the many changes or improvements to the shuttle fleet after that date. Oct 21, 20 read cnn s space shuttle program fast facts for a look at the nasa program, which ended in 2011 after 5 missions. Pdf the space shuttle was an amazing and unique spacecraft that transported.
Space shuttle endeavour exhibition california science center. The exhibit celebrates endeavours many scientific achievements and its strong connection to california, where all the orbiters were built. Also explore the seminar topics paper on space shuttles and its advancements with abstract or synopsis, documentation on advantages and disadvantages, base paper presentation slides for ieee final year electronics and telecommunication engineering or ece students for the year 2015 2016. See the fact file below for more information on the space shuttle or alternatively, you can download our 21page space shuttle worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. Besides the meal and pantry food lockers, a fresh food locker is packed at ksc and installed on the shuttle 24 to 36 hours before launch. This is the 1988 revised edition released after the loss of the challenger but before the return to flight sts26 mission in october of 1988.
But many of my friends and i are celebrating yesterdays. Space shuttle facts, figures and statistics collectspace. The space shuttle columbia ov102was a spacecraft used by nasa to fly into outer space. Commander john young and pilot robert crippen were onboard sts1, the first orbital flight of the space shuttle program. The space shuttle endeavour was the final shuttle built as part of the shuttle program. Iss fact book pdf july 1999 593k recently updated information about the internation space. The space shuttle had an average maximum flight distance of 350 miles or almost 565 kilometers, which would mean it would need to fly 680 times further to reach the moon. Satellites could be sent into orbit, but they could not return.
It also could rendezvous with orbiting spacecraft to allow astronauts to service, resupply, or board them or to retrieve them for return to earth. Unless you have flown aboard the space shuttle or have seen it in person, it can be difficult to mentally visualize the size of the vehicle. Space shuttle facts space shuttle for kids dk find out. Here are eight surprising facts about nasa shuttles. Source for space history, space artifacts, and space memorabilia. Getting the shuttle into orbit requires a lot of power. Columbias seven crewmembers will perform a series of experiments to gain more knowledge on how the human body adapts to the weightless environment of space. Takeoff and landing this video shows a takeoff and landing of a manned u. The space shuttle was a spacecraft which was used by the american national aeronautics and space administration, or nasa. Ok, please read on, and learn the answers to the questions, along with some fun facts about nasa. Solid rocket booster set on display at the ksc visitor center photos. Learn about the space shuttlethe first reusable space craft.
The air force expected to use the space shuttle to launch large satellites. Read cnn s space shuttle program fast facts for a look at the nasa program, which ended in 2011 after 5 missions. Operational missions launched numerous satellites, conducted. Over the course of her career, she flew 25 missions in all, ending in may 2011. Space shuttle orbiter technical diagrams from space shuttle news reference nasa. Space shuttle era factsn facts asas shuttle fleet achieved numerous firsts and opened up space to more people than ever before during the space shuttle programs 30 years of missions. The three space shuttle main engines release energy the equivalent of 23 hoover dams. In this time, the entire fleet of space shuttles included 5 missions by. The space shuttle was a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system operated by the.
The worlds first reusable space vehicle changed that, and it revolutionized the way people worked in space. The space shuttle was a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system operated by the u. What are some lesser known facts about nasas space shuttles. The space shuttle, officially called the space transportation. The space shuttle enterprise ov101 is a spacecraft used by nasa for testing of the space shuttles. Buran, which means snowstorm in russian, flew one time. We are going to look into how people live in space yes there are already people living in space right now and how people will live in space in the future. Although over 600 astronauts have flown to outer space on the space shuttle, only about seven can fly out at one time. Children will love the cool, crazy, strange, funny, weird, odd, bizarre and wacky information as well as did you know facts and other interesting space info that will help them learn a thing or two. Shuttle missions returned 5 times to repair and improve cameras and scientific instruments on the telescope. Nasa is retiring the space shuttle fleet to make way for a new exploration program aimed at sending astronauts on deep space missions to an.
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