The Space Shuttle Family
Explore the iconic Space Shuttle spacecraft, NASA’s revolutionary spacecraft that transformed human spaceflight and exploration.
Space Shuttles
Space shuttles are reusable spacecraft designed to carry astronauts, equipment, and satellites to space and back to Earth. Unlike traditional rockets, they can launch, orbit, re-enter the atmosphere, and land like an airplane. Relive the era of reusable spacecraft, where spaceplanes transported astronauts and cargo to and from Earth’s orbit, revolutionizing human space exploration.
About Space Shuttles
The most famous Space Shuttle is NASA‘s Space Shuttle Family, which flew from 1981 to 2011, delivering astronauts to space stations, deploying satellites, and even helping build the International Space Station (ISS). However, other countries have also explored similar designs!
The Soviet Union created the Buran, which looked like NASA’s shuttle but flew only once in 1988 before the program ended. More recently, China has been developing its own reusable spaceplane concepts, too.
Two giants: Buran and U.S's Shuttle Family
The Buran was the Soviet Union’s answer to NASA’s Space Shuttle. It looked remarkably similar but had some unique features, like the ability to fly completely unmanned. Despite its success, the program was canceled due to budget issues and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Buran Space Shuttle
Discover Buran, the Soviet Union’s response to the Space Shuttle program. Learn about its design, mission, and lasting impact.
Haolong Space Shuttle
China recently unveiled the Haolong space cargo shuttle, a reusable spacecraft designed to transport cargo to and from the Tiangong station.
All U.S. Space Shuttles
NASA’s Space Shuttle program was a game-changer in space travel. Launched in 1981, the shuttles—like Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour—were the first reusable spacecraft, designed to take off like a rocket, orbit Earth, and land like a plane. They carried astronauts, satellites, and parts for the International Space Station, making spaceflight more routine and accessible. The shuttles marked a golden era of exploration, scientific missions, and innovation before retiring in 2011.
Space Shuttle Enterprise
The Space Shuttle Enterprise was NASA’s first space shuttle orbiter, built in the 1970s. It actually never flew in space.
Space Shuttle Columbia
The Space Shuttle Columbia was NASA’s first operational orbiter. It launched on April 12, 1981 and returned safely to Earth.
Space Shuttle Challenger
Initially, the Challenger was built as a Structural Test Article to undergo ground-based stress tests but was converted into an orbiter.
Space Shuttle Discovery
Constructed by Rockwell International, Space Shuttle Discovery was delivered to Kennedy Space Center in November 1983.
Space Shuttle Atlantis
The Space Shuttle Atlantis was NASA’s fourth operational orbiter. Atlantis was lighter than its predecessors.
Space Shuttle Endeavour
The Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105) was NASA’s fifth and final operational space shuttle orbiter, constructed to replace Challenger.