NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Collection

Recycling Columbia

Twenty years ago this week, the Space Shuttle Columbia [ http://www-pao.ksc.…orbiterscol.htm ] became the first reusable spaceship [ http://www.spacefli…basics/index.html ]. Its second trip [ http://www-pao.ksc.…sts-2.htm ] to low Earth orbit and back again began on November 12, 1981, following its maiden voyage [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] by only seven months. Seen above Columbia, 56 meters (184 feet) long with a 24 meter (78 foot) wingspan, is launched mated to an external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters producing dramatic exhaust plumes [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. The solid rocket boosters [ http://science.ksc.…srb.html ], one on each side of the external tank, provide most of the thrust in the first 2 minutes after launch and are then jettisoned for later recovery. Supplying the main shuttle engines during liftoff, the external fuel tank [ http://science.ksc.…et.html ] separates after about 8 minutes. The largest shuttle element not recycled for a future flight, the external tank falls back [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] toward Earth breaking up and descending into a remote ocean area. Still the oldest operating shuttle, Columbia is pictured here [ http://science.ksc.…KSC-92PC-1402.html ] in June of 1992 rocketing toward a cloud bank on its twelfth flight [ http://www-pao.ksc.…sts-50.htm ]. Officially designated OV-102, Columbia is fittingly named [ http://science.ksc.…columbia.html ] after the 18th century sailing vessel which became the first American ship [ http://www.lewis-cl…] to circumnavigate planet Earth.

STS-50, NASA [ http://www.nasa.gov/]

space shuttle

columbia

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18th century

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November 12, 1981

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

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Space Shuttle Orbiter

1981

1992

http://antwrp.gsfc.…

SPD-APOD-ap011115