Learning Goals  I will be able to identify the names of the space shuttles in NASA’s program.  I will be able to identify two shuttle disasters.

The Space Shuttle  A program that followed NASA’s successful Apollo missions of the early 70’s.  Goal was to develop a reusable launch system and orbital spacecraft for human spaceflight missions.  This spacecraft was used from 1981 – 2011 for a total of 135 missions.

Shuttle Specs  The shuttle was significantly smaller than the Saturn V rocket:  Height = 56.1 m  Diameter = 8.7 m  Weight = 2,030 tonnes  Was able to deliver a payload of 24,400 kg into low earth orbit.

 The shuttle was sent into orbit through the use of two re-usable solid rocket boosters and a large external fuel tank.  This, coupled with the three main engines on the shuttle itself, provided the required left for the shuttle. Solid Rocket Booster External Fuel Tank

The Shuttle Fleet  NASA’s original shuttle fleet consisted of 5 launch vehicles:  Atlantis (1985 – 2011, 33 missions)  Challenger (1983 – 1986, 10 missions)  Columbia (1981 – 2003, 28 missions)  Discovery (1984 – 2011, 39 missions)  Endeavour (1992 – 2011, 25 missions)  Flew the last mission of the space shuttle program on June 1, 2011.

Shuttle Program Tragedies Challenger Disaster (1986)Columbia Disaster (2003)  Shuttle Challenger took off on January 28,  Was lost two minutes into flight.  Caused by a defective O-Ring which sealed the SRB to the external fuel tank.  Entire crew of seven was lost  Included one school teacher.  Shuttle Columbia was re- entering the atmosphere on February 1,  The protective heat shield was damaged on take-off and failed upon re-entry.  Entire crew of seven was lost.

Important Missions  The Space Shuttle program, overcoming two major tragedies, completed many (many) important missions. They included:  Launching of the Hubble Telescope  Launching of space probes (Galileo, Magellan)  Assembly of the International Space Station with the Russian and European Space Agencies

Canadarm  Canada’s contribution to the space shuttle program.  A robotic arm stored in the payload bay that allowed large components to be maneuvered while in orbit.

Shuttle Retirement  When Endeavour landed on June 1, 2011 it marked the end of another great chapter in NASA’s manned space program.  It terms of the future, it is anticipated that the Orion spacecraft, successor of the shuttle, will be operational as of  Will combine features of shuttle (SRBs) and Saturn V

Learning Goals Revisited  I will be able to identify the names of the space shuttles in NASA’s program.  I will be able to identify two shuttle disasters.