Space Shuttle Atlantis launching

Space Shuttles

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In 1981 Space Shuttles were used for the first time. For many years space exploration had relied on rockets. When space shuttles were put into use they were used for many missions up in space.

Space Shuttles were reusable space craft. Previously the only method of launching into space was by using a space rocket. These could only be used once. They couldn’t land back on Earth and instead astronauts would crash into the ocean in just one small part of it. The Space Shuttles could launch into space like a rocket but also then land back on Earth like a plane would on a runway. They then could be reused.

There were six space shuttles. The first was called Enterprise. It did not fly into space and was only used in early landing tests. Then the first Space Shuttle built and to go up into space was Columbia, followed by Challenger, Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour was built later as a replacement for Challenger.

These space shuttles were used to take satellites and probes up to space, to help build the International Space Station and take astronauts to and from it once it was built and to go on missions to find out more about space.

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Space Shuttles were made up of different parts. The orbiter was the main part – the bit that looked like a plane. Then the rest of it was used for launching the space shuttle off the ground and into space.

As well as the orbiter there was the external tank and two solid rocket boosters. These contained different types of fuel needed to launch the orbiter. The Solid Rocket Boosters provided extreme power to get the Space Shuttle off the ground when launching. They lasted for two minutes before dropping away and falling into the ocean below. The solid rocket boosters would then be collected so they could be used again on another mission. The external tank fuelled the main engines for longer, about eight and half minutes. They then fell away as the orbiter reached the edge of space. The external tank would then break up and burn up in the atmosphere. It was the only non-reusable part and a new one was built for every mission.

The orbiter would then carry on up out of the Earth’s atmosphere and into space. When it was time to come back to Earth the orbiter would glide back down to Earth and land like a plane on a runway. It would then be reused for another mission into space.

The astronauts would be right at the front of the orbiter in the crew module. This was made up of the flight deck, where all the controls and computers were, the mid deck, where the astronauts had space to move around, eat and sleep, and the equipment bay. These were on three levels with the flight deck at the top, the mid deck in the middle and the equipment bay below. There was also an airlock which is what the astronauts used if going on a space walk. The orbiter also had a cargo bay. This took up the main part of the orbiter. This area was very important and allowed the space shuttles to carry equipment up into space.

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Endeavour with its payload doors open showing the cargo bay of the space shuttle.

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The Space Shuttle Atlantis landing like a plane would on a runway...with a little help to slow down!

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Columbia was the first space shuttle to be put in use and went up into space in 1981.

Challenger was first used in 1983. It was destroyed only three years later in 1986 by an accident just after take off. Space Shuttle missions were stopped for over two years after this so checks could be made to make the space shuttles safer.

Discovery made the first trip back into space after the Challenger disaster. This was in 1990 and it took the Hubble Space Telescope up into orbit around the Earth.

Columbia had gone on 27 missions into space but then a disaster on re entry to Earth destroyed it in 2003. After this space shuttles were stopped again from going into space until checks could make sure that they were safe.

Atlantis completed the last ever mission up into space by a space shuttle in 2011.

The Space Shuttle program lasted for 30 years. There were 135 missions in total. 133 missions were successful and carried astronauts and cargo to orbit, built the International Space Station (ISS), launched and serviced satellites, as well as launching probes and the Hubble Space Telescope.

After the Columbia disaster it was decided that after the construction of the International Space Station was completed the Space Shuttle program would end.

In 2011 the Space Shuttle program ended. The last mission was by Space Shuttle Atlantis. It took off on the 8th July, went to the ISS and then landed back on Earth on the 21st July.

What we've learnt...

Wow, that is a lot to remember! Here is what we have learnt...

I wonder...what was your favourite fact?

There were 135 space shuttle missions between 1981 and 2011.

There were 5 space shuttles that went up into space. They were called Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. One more called Enterprise was used for testing on Earth.

Space shuttles were made up of 3 main parts. the orbiter, two solid rocket boosters and an external tank.

Unlike space rockets, space shuttles could land back on Earth and be reused.

Space shuttles were used for many things including to help build the International Space Station and launch the Hubble Space Telescope.

There were two space shuttle disasters. Challenger exploded in 1983 and Columbia exploded in 2003.