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STS-1 Launch
| Name of Image |
STS-1 Launch |
| Date of Image |
1981-04-12 |
| Full Description |
The new era in space flight began on April 12, 1981. That is when the first Space Shuttle mission (STS-1) was launched. The Marshall Space Flight Center developed the propulsion system for the Space Shuttle. This photograph depicts the launch of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia marned with two astronauts, John Young and Robert Crippen. |
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STS-1: First Shuttle Launch
| Title |
STS-1: First Shuttle Launch |
| Explanation |
On April 12, 1981, twenty years ago today, the Space Shuttle Columbia [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/ columbia.html ] became the first shuttle [ http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/shuttle/missions/ sts-1/mission-sts-1.html ] to orbit the Earth. In this gorgeous time exposure [ http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/captions/bestofthebest/ ksc-81pc-0136.htm ], flood lights play on the Columbia and service structures (left) as it rests atop Complex 39's [ http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/ padstoc.htm ] Pad A at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for first launch. Flown by [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/ stsref-toc.html ] Commander John W. Young and Pilot Robert L. Crippen, Columbia spent 2 days aloft on its check-out mission, STS-1 [ http://history.nasa.gov/sts1/index.html ], which ended in a smooth landing, airplane-style, at Edwards Air Force Base [ http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/PAO/PressReleases/ 2001/01-21.html ] in California. Ferried back to Kennedy by a modified Boeing 747 [ http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/PAO/PAIS/HTML/ FS-013-DFRC.html ], Columbia was launched again seven months later on STS-2 [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-2/ mission-sts-2.html ], becoming the first piloted reuseable orbiter. The oldest operating shuttle, Columbia's 1981 debut was followed by shuttles Challenger [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/ challenger.html ] in 1982 (destroyed [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-l/ mission-51-l.html ] in 1986), Discovery [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/ discovery.html ] in 1983, Atlantis [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/ atlantis.html ] in 1985, and Challenger's replacement Endeavour [ http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/ endeavour.html ] in 1991. This shuttle fleet has now accomplished [ http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/ ] over 100 orbital missions. Today also marks the 40th anniversary [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960412.html ] of the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin [ http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/space_level2/ gagarin.html ]. |
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Liftoff of Space Shuttle Col
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| Title |
Liftoff of Space Shuttle Columbia |
| Explanation |
On April 12, 1981, space flight entered a new era with the first launch [ http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-1/mission-sts-1.html ] of Space Shuttle Columbia [ http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/columbia.html ], shown above. NASA's Space Shuttles land like a normal plane, carry a heavy cargo, carry a large crew, make use of cheap solid fuel, and are reusable. Previous to this flight, no manned orbiting space ship had ever landed on a runway. Space Shuttles now are the flagships and the workhorses of NASA's [ http://www.nasa.gov/ ] space going rockets. For more information about NASA's Space Shuttle missions, see the NASA Space Shuttle Launches page [ http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/missions.html ]. Tomorrow's picture: Night Launch of Endeavour |
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Liftoff of Space Shuttle Col
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| Title |
Liftoff of Space Shuttle Columbia |
| Explanation |
On April 12, 1981, space flight entered a new era with the first launch [ http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.Projects/Human.Exploration.and.Development.of.Space/Human.Space.Flight/Shuttle/Shuttle.Missions/Flight.001.STS-1/ ] of Space Shuttle Columbia [ http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/columbia.html ]. NASA's Space Shuttles [ http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/shuttlehistory.html ] land like a normal airplane, carry a heavy cargo, carry a large crew, make use of cheap solid fuel, and are reusable. Previous to this flight [ http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/iams/html/pao/STS1.htm ], no manned orbiting space ship had ever landed on a runway. Space Shuttles now are the flagships and the workhorses [ http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/missions.html ] of NASA's space going rockets. |
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STS-93 Columbia after rollou
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| Title |
STS-93 Columbia after rollout to Launch Pad 39B |
| Description |
Space Shuttle Columbia sits on Launch Pad 39B less than two weeks after liftoff of Discovery on mission STS-96. Columbia was rolled out June 7 in preparation for the launch of STS-93 with its payload of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Rotating Service Structure will be moved into place around it on Tuesday, June 8. With the world's most powerful X-ray telescope, Chandra will allow scientists from around the world to see previously invisible black holes and high-temperature gas clouds, giving the observatory the potential to rewrite the books on the structure and evolution of our universe. Columbia (OV-102) is the first of NASA's orbiter fleet, delivered to Kennedy Space Center in March 1979. Columbia initiated the Space Shuttle flight program at KSC when it lifted off Launch Pad 39A on April 12, 1981. |
| Date |
06.07.1999 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. In this view, Columbia is past the scaffolding and headed for the sky. |
| Date |
04.17.1981 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
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| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date |
04.20.1981 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View Columbia begins to soar beyond launch pad 39A. |
| Date |
04.20.1981 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
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| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - To honor the 25th anniversary of the first shuttle launch on April 12, 1981, STS-1 Pilot Bob Crippen (left) and Commander John Young (right) sit in front of a mockup of a space shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. During their appearance, they shared their experiences on that historic flight. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
04/07/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - To honor the 25th anniversary of the first shuttle launch on April 12, 1981, STS-1 Pilot Bob Crippen (left) and Commander John Young (right) sit in front of a mockup of a space shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. During their appearance, they shared their experiences on that historic flight. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
04/07/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
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| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - To honor the 25th anniversary of the first shuttle launch on April 12, 1981, STS-1 Commander John Young (seated, left) and Pilot Bob Crippen (right) were invited to share their experiences with employees during a special presentation at Kennedy. Kennedy's Deputy Director Bill Parsons (far left) introduced the two men. Here, Young relates his feelings about making that historic flight. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
04/06/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - To honor the 25th anniversary of the first shuttle launch on April 12, 1981, STS-1 Commander John Young (left) and Pilot Bob Crippen (right) were invited to share their experiences with employees during a special presentation at Kennedy. Here, Young relates his feelings about making that historic flight. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
04/06/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - To honor the 25th anniversary of the first shuttle launch on April 12, 1981, STS-1 Commander John Young (left) and Pilot Bob Crippen (right) were invited to share their experiences with employees during a special presentation at Kennedy. Here, Young relates his feelings about making that historic flight. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
04/06/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
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| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Near the door of firing room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is this plaque revealing the dedication of the room as the Young-Crippen Firing Room. The renaming was made in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981, dedicating the firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen. Making the dedication were Center Director Jim Kennedy, the NASA test director for STS-1, Norm Carlson, and the project flight engineer for Space Shuttle Columbia, Bob Sieck. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett |
| Release Date |
03/31/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The door of firing room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center shows its new designation as the Young-Crippen Firing Room. The renaming was made in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981, dedicating the firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen. Making the dedication were Center Director Jim Kennedy, the NASA test director for STS-1, Norm Carlson, and the project flight engineer for Space Shuttle Columbia, Bob Sieck. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett |
| Release Date |
03/31/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center has been stripped of its equipment in preparation for transforming it to support the launch operations for the Ares launch vehicles. The Shuttle Processing Transition Team has worked to decommission Firing Room 1, also known as FR1, for transfer to the Constellation Program. The transition includes removing all the computer systems currently in the room and installing new equipment and software. The room was recently renamed the Young/Crippen Firing Room to honor Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. It was this firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Young and Crippen. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
12/13/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center has been stripped of its equipment in preparation for transforming it to support the launch operations for the Ares launch vehicles. The Shuttle Processing Transition Team has worked to decommission Firing Room 1, also known as FR1, for transfer to the Constellation Program. The transition includes removing all the computer systems currently in the room and installing new equipment and software. The room was recently renamed the Young/Crippen Firing Room to honor Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. It was this firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Young and Crippen. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
12/13/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center has been stripped of its equipment in preparation for transforming it to support the launch operations for the Ares launch vehicles. The Shuttle Processing Transition Team has worked to decommission Firing Room 1, also known as FR1, for transfer to the Constellation Program. The transition includes removing all the computer systems currently in the room and installing new equipment and software. The room was recently renamed the Young/Crippen Firing Room to honor Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. It was this firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Young and Crippen. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
| Release Date |
12/13/2006 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia sits on Launch Pad 39B less than two weeks after liftoff of Discovery on mission STS-96. Columbia was rolled out June 7 in preparation for the launch of STS-93 with its payload of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Rotating Service Structure will be moved into place around it on Tuesday, June 8. With the world's most powerful X-ray telescope, Chandra will allow scientists from around the world to see previously invisible black holes and high-temperature gas clouds, giving the observatory the potential to rewrite the books on the structure and evolution of our universe. Columbia (OV-102) is the first of NASA's orbiter fleet, delivered to Kennedy Space Center in March 1979. Columbia initiated the Space Shuttle flight program at KSC when it lifted off Launch Pad 39A on April 12, 1981 |
| Release Date |
06/07/1999 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia sits on Launch Pad 39B less than two weeks after liftoff of Discovery on mission STS-96. Columbia was rolled out June 7 in preparation for the launch of STS-93 with its payload of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Rotating Service Structure, at left, will be moved into place on Tuesday, June 8. With the world's most powerful X-ray telescope, Chandra will allow scientists from around the world to see previously invisible black holes and high-temperature gas clouds, giving the observatory the potential to rewrite the books on the structure and evolution of our universe. Columbia (OV-102) is the first of NASA's orbiter fleet, delivered to Kennedy Space Center in March 1979. Columbia initiated the Space Shuttle flight program at KSC when it lifted off Launch Pad 39A on April 12, 1981 |
| Release Date |
06/07/1999 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Columbia sits on Launch Pad 39B in preparation for the launch of STS-93. This view shows the flame trench, 490 feet long and 40 feet high, which helps contain the intense heat that occurs at launch. Columbia was rolled out June 7, less than two weeks after the liftoff of Discovery on mission STS-96. The STS-93 payload is the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the world's most powerful X-ray telescope, which will allow scientists from around the world to see previously invisible black holes and high-temperature gas clouds, giving the observatory the potential to rewrite the books on the structure and evolution of our universe. Columbia (OV-102) is the first of NASA's orbiter fleet, delivered to Kennedy Space Center in March 1979. Columbia initiated the Space Shuttle flight program at KSC when it lifted off Launch Pad 39A on April 12, 1981 |
| Release Date |
06/07/1999 |
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This closeup of Space Shuttle Columbia on Launch Pad 39B shows the Rotating Service Structure, at left, which will be moved into place on Tuesday, June 8. Columbia was rolled out June 7, less than two weeks after the liftoff of Discovery on mission STS-96, in preparation for the launch of STS-93. The mission payload is the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the world's most powerful X-ray telescope, which will allow scientists from around the world to see previously invisible black holes and high-temperature gas clouds, giving the observatory the potential to rewrite the books on the structure and evolution of our universe. Columbia (OV-102) is the first of NASA's orbiter fleet, delivered to Kennedy Space Center in March 1979. Columbia initiated the Space Shuttle flight program at KSC when it lifted off Launch Pad 39A on April 12, 1981 |
| Release Date |
06/07/1999 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
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Launch views of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch views of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch views of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. In these views, Columbia is past the scaffolding and headed for the sky. |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-17 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View Columbia begins to soar beyond launch pad 39A. |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. In this view, Columbia is past the scaffolding and headed for the sky. |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-17 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. Views include Columbia just begining to liftoff (30462-3), Columbia is just begining to clear the scaffold (30464). |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-17 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. Views include Columbia just begining to liftoff (30462-3), Columbia is just begining to clear the scaffold (30464). |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-17 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
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Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. Views include Columbia just begining to liftoff (30462-3), Columbia is just begining to clear the scaffold (30464). |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-17 |
|
Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
|
Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
|
Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View include main engine ignition on Columbia (30498), Columbia begins its liftoff (30499-500,30503), close-up view of orbiter on its solid rocket booster (30501), close-up of tail end of orbiter as solid rocket boosters ignite (30502), . |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-20 |
|
Launch views of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch views of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch views of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. In these views, Columbia is past the scaffolding and headed for the sky. |
| Date Taken |
1981-04-17 |
|
Launch view of the Columbia
…
| Title |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981 |
| Description |
Launch view of the Columbia for the STS-1 mission, April 12, 1981. View Columbia begins to soar beyond launch pad 39A. |
| Date Taken |
1981-05-06 |
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