# It IS Rocket Science (DD-257)

> The Space Shuttle was NASA's partly reusable launch system, flown from April 12, 1981, to July 21, 2011. Each stack combined a winged orbiter, a large external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters; the orbiter landed like a glider and was reused. The five orbiters that flew in space, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, made 135 missions, launching satellites and probes, deploying and servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, and building much of the International Space Station. Two orbiters and 14 astronauts were lost, in the Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003) disasters. The footage shows shuttle launches, with the presenter.

- Department: Space (also Tech)
- First published: 2024-06-24
- Last updated: 2024-06-24
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/
- Original Reel title: It IS Rocket Science 🚀
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **April 12, 1981**: The first Space Shuttle flight launches
- **1986**: Challenger is lost
- **2003**: Columbia is lost
- **July 21, 2011**: The final Space Shuttle flight lands

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=it-is-rocket-science

## Quick facts

- **DD-257-F01**: The first shuttle flew in 1981. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (1981))_
- **DD-257-F02**: Orbiter, external tank and boosters. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Three parts))_

## Write-up

NASA's Space Shuttle was the first reusable crewed spacecraft. It flew 135 missions before retiring in 2011.

1. **1981**: The first shuttle flew in 1981.
2. **Three parts**: Orbiter, external tank and boosters.
3. **135 missions**: The fleet flew 135 missions.
4. **Hubble and ISS**: Shuttles serviced Hubble and built the ISS.
5. **2011**: The program ended in 2011.

## Related case files

- [Spacewalker (DD-652)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/spacewalker/): I linked more human spaceflight
- [Look Up, Can You See It? (DD-258)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/look-up-can-you-see-it/): I linked more spaceflight, on the space station
- [Keep Looking, What Do You See? (DD-256)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/keep-looking-what-do-you-see/): I linked more spaceflight, on the Space Shuttle
- [Thrust (DD-360)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/thrust/): I linked more rockets
- [Delta IV Heavy (DD-374)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/delta-iv-heavy/): I linked more rockets
- [Proton-M (DD-451)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/proton-m/): I linked more rockets
- [Go for a Spin (DD-474)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/go-for-a-spin/): I linked more rockets
- [Why So Sirius? (DD-490)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/why-so-sirius/): I linked more stars
- [Project Orion (DD-496)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/project-orion/): I linked more rockets
- [The Space Perspective (DD-500)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-space-perspective/): I linked more space tourism
- [Going Up? (DD-503)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/going-up/): I linked more space
- [Mk-II Aurora (DD-508)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/mk-ii-aurora/): I linked more spaceplanes
- [Tidal Forces (DD-544)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/tidal-forces/): I linked more Earth
- [Rocket Stage Release (DD-697)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rocket-stage-release/): I linked more rocketry
- [Temperature Tiles (DD-754)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temperature-tiles/): I linked more spacecraft

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: It IS Rocket Science: NASA's Space Shuttle Was the First Reusable Crewed Spacecraft

- Duration: 30.3 s · Published: 2024-06-24
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C8laZD7OQ4W.mp4

### Transcript

SPACE SHUTTLES were pivotal in the history of space exploration, revolutionizing how we access space. Developed by NASA, these reusable spacecraft carried astronauts and cargo to and from orbit. The iconic design included a powerful orbiter, fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Space shuttles enabled significant missions, such as deploying satellites, repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and constructing the International Space Station. With each launch and landing they demonstrated engineering and versatility. Retired in 2011, space shuttles remain symbols of human ingenuity and the drive to explore beyond our planet. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When did the Space Shuttle first fly?**  
A: Columbia. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (1981) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle)_

**Q: Which part was reused and landed?**  
A: Like a glider. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three parts) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle)_

**Q: How many missions flew?**  
A: Over 30 years. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (135 missions) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program)_

**Q: Which telescope did shuttles service?**  
A: Five missions. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hubble and ISS) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program)_

**Q: When did the program end?**  
A: Atlantis. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (2011) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Space Shuttle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle)
- [Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_program)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "It IS Rocket Science." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-257, last updated Jun 24, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/