The Space Shuttle Atlantis was NASA‘s fourth operational orbiter, designated OV-104. Built by Rockwell International in Southern California, it was delivered to Kennedy Space Center in April 1985. Atlantis was lighter than its predecessors, incorporating design improvements that reduced its weight and streamlined its construction.
Design and Construction
The Space Shuttle Atlantis was designed and built by Rockwell International in Palmdale, California, and became NASA’s fourth operational orbiter in the Space Shuttle program. Delivered to Kennedy Space Center in April 1985, it incorporated numerous innovations compared to its predecessors, Columbia, Challenger, and Discovery. These enhancements focused on reducing weight, increasing efficiency, and optimizing manufacturing processes.
Atlantis was constructed with an emphasis on improving its structural efficiency. Engineers used lighter materials and simplified the orbiter’s wiring system, reducing its total wiring by approximately 600 pounds (270 kilograms). Overall, these improvements made Atlantis about 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilograms) lighter than Columbia, NASA’s first operational orbiter. This weight reduction allowed Atlantis to carry heavier payloads into orbit, enhancing its capabilities for deploying satellites, scientific instruments, and space station components.
One notable aspect of its design was its modular nature, which allowed for easier upgrades and maintenance. Atlantis featured a more streamlined assembly process that leveraged lessons learned from building earlier shuttles.
Operational History
Atlantis embarked on its maiden flight, STS-51-J, from October 3 to 7, 1985. Over its 26-year career, it completed 33 missions, spending more than 306 days in space and orbiting Earth 4,848 times.
The orbiter played a pivotal role in deploying satellites, such as the Venus-bound Magellan probe during STS-30 in May 1989, and contributed significantly to the construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Notably, Atlantis was the first shuttle to dock with the Russian space station Mir, fostering international collaboration in space exploration.
Discovery's Technical Specifications
- Length: 122.17 feet (37.24 meters)
- Wingspan: 78.06 feet (23.79 meters)
- Height: 57 feet (17.37 meters)
- Maximum Liftoff Weight: 4.5 million pounds (2,041,166 kilograms)
- Payload Bay Dimensions: 60 feet by 15 feet (18.3 meters by 4.6 meters)
- Orbital Speed: 17,500 mph (28,160 km/h)
Legacy
Atlantis holds a special place in the history of space exploration, being the last operational orbiter to fly in NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Over its 26 years of service, it completed 33 successful missions, accumulating over 126 million miles (203 million kilometers) traveled in space. Its contributions spanned satellite deployment, interplanetary exploration, and the construction of international space facilities.
One of Atlantis’s most significant achievements was its role in fostering international collaboration. It was the first orbiter to dock with the Russian Mir Space Station, a milestone that symbolized post-Cold War cooperation in space exploration. Atlantis also contributed significantly to the Hubble Space Telescope program, launching components and conducting servicing missions to ensure the telescope’s continued functionality.
