Plans for the space shuttle started in 1970 with the first orbiter, Enterprise, debuting in 1976. Key events included the first American woman, Sally Ride, going to space in 1983, the Challenger explosion in 1986 due to an O-ring failure, and the Columbia disaster in 2003 when heat tiles were damaged on launch. The last space shuttle launch was in 2011, ending the 30-year program.

2. Plans for space shuttle started in 1970

3. In 1976 first orbiter spacecraft (Enterprise) came out

4. Longest time in space 17.5 days most people was 8

5. 1983 June 8th first woman was in space

6. July 1999 First Mission commanded by a woman

7. A space shuttle (Challenger ) exploded, and so did Columbia

8. Last of the Space Shuttle launches will be this year 2011Reusable Spacecraft

9. Launches like a rocket, maneuvers in Earth orbit like a spacecraft, and lands like an airplane

10. Designed to fly at least 100 missions

11. 3 main parts: Orbiter (houses the crew), Large external fuel tank ( holds fuel for main engines, and it burns up in the atmosphere after each launch), and the Two solid rocket boosters (provides most of the shuttle’s life during the first two minutes)

12. Has a robotic arm so the crews can move large objects and it helps them with their spacewalks