The Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105) was NASA‘s fifth and final operational space shuttle orbiter, built to replace the ill-fated Challenger, which was lost in 1986. Congress authorized its construction in 1987, allocating funds to create a new shuttle using spare parts from the earlier orbiters Columbia, Discovery, and Atlantis. This approach was both cost-effective and time-efficient, allowing Endeavour to be completed for approximately $1.7 billion in 1991.
Design and Construction
Endeavour’s design incorporated numerous upgrades and safety features based on lessons learned from its predecessors. It was the first shuttle equipped with a drag chute, which improved braking efficiency during landing and reduced wear on the shuttle’s tires and brakes.
Other enhancements included advanced avionics systems, updated plumbing for its reaction control system, and an improved nose wheel steering mechanism. The shuttle also featured modifications to reduce its weight, enabling it to carry heavier payloads into orbit. After construction was completed, Endeavour was delivered to Kennedy Space Center in May 1991 for final preparations before its first flight.
Operational History
Endeavour made its maiden voyage on STS-49 in May 1992, a mission to capture and repair the Intelsat VI communications satellite. This mission was historic for its record-breaking four spacewalks (extravehicular activities or EVAs), a feat that demonstrated the shuttle’s ability to support complex repairs in orbit. The mission also saw the first three-person spacewalk, showcasing Endeavour’s capability to handle challenging tasks in space.
Over the next 19 years, Endeavour completed 25 missions, logging more than 296 days in space and traveling nearly 123 million miles. It played a critical role in several important milestones in space exploration. In 1993, it conducted the first servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope, ensuring the telescope’s continued functionality and revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. Endeavour was also integral to the construction of the International Space Station (ISS), delivering critical modules and hardware, including the U.S. Destiny Laboratory in 2001 and the Japanese Kibo laboratory in 2008.
Endeavour’s final mission, STS-134, launched in May 2011. This mission delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02), a state-of-the-art particle physics experiment designed to study cosmic rays and search for evidence of dark matter. The mission marked the end of Endeavour’s illustrious career, with the orbiter returning to Earth for the last time on June 1, 2011.
Endeavour's Technical Specifications
- Length: 122.17 feet (37.24 meters)
- Wingspan: 78.06 feet (23.79 meters)
- Height: 57 feet (17.37 meters)
- Dry Mass: 172,000 pounds (78,000 kilograms)
- Maximum Payload Capacity: 55,250 pounds (25,061 kilograms)
- Orbital Speed: Approximately 17,500 miles per hour (28,160 kilometers per hour)
Legacy
Endeavour’s missions were marked by numerous milestones, including the first mission to feature four spacewalks and setting duration records for shuttle missions.
After retirement, Endeavour was transported to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it is now on public display, inspiring future generations to pursue advancements in space exploration.
