Events with tag - Space Shuttle

January 5, 1972

NASA Space Shuttle Program Approved

President Richard Nixon officially authorized NASA's Space Shuttle program, marking the beginning of reusable spacecraft era with a $5.5 billion development plan aimed at revolutionizing space transportation.

January 28, 1986

Challenger Disaster

The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch from Kennedy Space Center, killing all seven crew members including the first teacher to go to space. The disaster was caused by O-ring seal failure due to cold temperatures.

December 6, 1998

Unity-Zarya Connection

The historic connection of Unity Node 1, the first US-built component, to the Russian Zarya module marked the beginning of International Space Station construction. This milestone achievement occurred during the STS-88 mission aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour.

February 1, 2003

Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003, killing all seven crew members. The disaster was caused by damage to the shuttle's thermal protection system during launch and led to a 29-month suspension of NASA's Space Shuttle program.

July 21, 2011

Final Space Shuttle Mission

Space Shuttle Atlantis completed its final mission STS-135, marking the end of NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle Program. The mission delivered crucial supplies to the International Space Station before making its historic final landing.