Space shuttles are a marvel of human engineering and have played a vital role in space exploration. These spacecraft have made remarkable achievements, and here are some fun facts about them.
1. The First Space Shuttle to Fly was the Columbia
The first space shuttle to fly was the Columbia, launched on April 12, 1981. The mission lasted for two days, six hours, and 20 minutes. It was a historic moment for space exploration.
2. Space Shuttles Can Travel at 17,500 Miles per Hour
Space shuttles can travel at incredible speeds of 17,500 miles per hour. At this speed, they can orbit the Earth in just 90 minutes.
3. The Space Shuttle Program Ended in 2011
The space shuttle program came to an end in 2011 after 135 missions. The last mission was carried out by the Atlantis, which returned to Earth on July 21, 2011.
4. Space Shuttles Can Carry Up to Seven Astronauts
Space shuttles were designed to carry up to seven astronauts. They had a crew compartment that was 15 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 10 feet high.
5. The Space Shuttle's Main Engines Are More Powerful Than 23 Boeing 747s
The space shuttle's three main engines are incredibly powerful. They generate more than 37 million horsepower, which is more than 23 Boeing 747s combined.
6. The Space Shuttle Can Deploy Satellites and Repair Them
One of the main roles of the space shuttle was to deploy satellites into orbit. It could also retrieve and repair satellites that were already in space.
7. The Space Shuttle Weighs 4.5 Million Pounds at Liftoff
The space shuttle is a massive spacecraft that weighs 4.5 million pounds at liftoff. It takes an incredible amount of energy to launch it into space.
8. Space Shuttles Have Flown Over 500 Million Miles
Over the course of its 135 missions, the space shuttle has flown over 500 million miles. That's more than enough to travel to the moon and back!
9. The Space Shuttle's Heat Shield Can Withstand Temperatures of 3,000 Degrees Fahrenheit
The space shuttle's heat shield is a critical component that protects it during reentry. It can withstand temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. The Space Shuttle Was the First Reusable Spacecraft
The space shuttle was the first spacecraft that could be reused. It was designed to make multiple trips to space, reducing the cost of space exploration.
11. There Are Only Three Space Shuttles Left
Since the space shuttle program ended, there are only three space shuttles left. The Atlantis is on display at the Kennedy Space Center, while the Endeavour and the Discovery are on display at the California Science Center and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, respectively.
12. Space Shuttles Can Dock with the International Space Station
One of the most significant achievements of the space shuttle program was the ability to dock with the International Space Station. This allowed astronauts to carry out repairs and maintenance on the station.
13. The Space Shuttle's Fuel Tank Is Over 150 Feet Tall
The space shuttle's fuel tank is massive, standing at over 150 feet tall. It holds over 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen, which is used to power the space shuttle's main engines.
14. Space Shuttles Have Flown More Than 21,000 Orbits Around Earth
The space shuttle has flown more than 21,000 orbits around the Earth. That's equivalent to traveling more than 525 million miles!
15. The Space Shuttle's Cargo Bay Can Hold Up to 50,000 Pounds
The space shuttle's cargo bay is incredibly spacious and can hold up to 50,000 pounds of cargo. This allowed for the delivery of supplies and equipment to the International Space Station.
16. The Space Shuttle's Nose Cone Is Made of Reinforced Carbon-Carbon
The space shuttle's nose cone is made of reinforced carbon-carbon, a heat-resistant material that can withstand the high temperatures of reentry.
17. Space Shuttles Have Carried More Than 350 People into Space
Over the course of the space shuttle program, more than 350 people have flown into space on a space shuttle. This includes astronauts from many different countries.
18. The Space Shuttle's Wingspan Is 78 Feet
The space shuttle's wingspan is 78 feet, which is longer than the length of a basketball court. The wings were designed to help the space shuttle glide back to Earth during reentry.
19. The Space Shuttle Was Named After a Starship in the Show Star Trek
The space shuttle was named after a starship in the popular TV show Star Trek. The starship was called the USS Enterprise, and the first space shuttle was named the Enterprise.
20. The Space Shuttle Program Cost Over $200 Billion
The space shuttle program was incredibly expensive, costing over $200 billion over its lifetime. Despite this, it made many significant contributions to space exploration and technology.