Overview

At the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the space shuttle program goes by the name Space Transportation System (STS). The shuttle program, as it is commonly referred to, has enabled humans to travel to space on reusable craft, providing transportation to and from space stations, and allowing scientists and the public to begin thinking about regular transportation to moons and planets. The shuttle was originally envisioned as a fully reusable craft that would be both efficient and economical; the latter benefit is still argued by some politicians and others. As designed, the space shuttle is semi-reusable. The shuttle basically comprises two solid rocket boosters, an external fuel tank and three main engines for launching purposes, and the reusable airplane-like orbiter spacecraft. In operation since 1981, the space shuttle has become the foundation of NASA's space program.

Background

In fall 1969, shortly after Neil Armstrong...