NASA s final space shuttle mission comes to an end
On this day in 2011 NASAs space shuttle program completes its final and 135th mission when the shuttle Atlantis lands at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.During the programs 30-year history its five orbitersColumbia Challenger Discovery Atlantis and Endeavourcarried more than 350 people into space and flew more than 500 million miles and shuttle crews conducted important research serviced the Hubble Space Telescope and helped in the construction of the International Space Station among other activities.NASA retired the shuttles to focus on a deep-space exploration program that could one day send astronauts to asteroids and Mars.In January 1972 two-and-a-half years after America put the first man on the moon in July 1969 President Richard Nixon publicly announced that NASA would develop a space transportation system featuring a space vehicle capable of shuttling repeatedly from Earth to orbit and back.
Nine years later on April 12 1981 at Kennedy Space Center the first shuttle Columbia lifted off on its inaugural mission.Over the course of the next 54 hours the two astronauts aboard NASAs first reusable spacecraft successfully tested all its systems and orbited the Earth 37 times before landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.In 1983 a second shuttle Challenger was put into service.It flew nine missions before breaking apart shortly after the launch of its 10th mission on January 28 1986.
All seven crew members were killed including high school teacher Christa McAuliffe who had won a national contest to be the first U.S.civilian to fly aboard the space shuttle.In the aftermath of the disaster the shuttle program was grounded until 1988.The programs third shuttle Discovery made its first flight in 1984.
Atlantis entered the fleet in 1985 and was followed by Endeavour in 1992.The shuttle program experienced its second major disaster on February 1 2003 when just minutes before Columbia was scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center and conclude its 28th mission it broke apart while re-entering the atmosphere over Texas.All seven astronauts on board perished.Afterward the shuttle fleet was grounded until July 2005 when Discovery was launched on the programs 114th mission.
By the time Discovery completed its 39th and final mission (the most of any shuttle) in March 2011 it had flown 148 million miles made 5830 orbits of Earth and spent 365 days in space.Endeavour completed its 25th and final mission in June 2011.That mission was commanded by Capt.
Mark Kelly husband of former U.S.congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.On July 8 2011 Atlantis was launched on its 33rd mission.With four crew members aboard Atlantis flew thousands of pounds of supplies and extra parts to the International Space Station it was the 37th shuttle flight to make the trip.
Thirteen days later on July 21 Atlantis touched down at Kennedy Space Center at 557 a.m.after a journey of more than 5 million miles during which it orbited the Earth 200 times.Upon landing the flights commander Capt.
Christopher J.Ferguson said Mission complete Houston.After serving the world for over 30 years the space shuttle has earned its place in history and its come to a final stop.
During its 26 years in service Atlantis flew almost 126 million miles circled Earth 4848 times and spent 307 days in space.The estimated price tag for the entire space shuttle program from development to retirement was 209 billion.
