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It IS Rocket Science

Short answer: 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.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about It IS Rocket Science?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The first shuttle flew in 1981.

    DD-257-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (1981)

  2. Orbiter, external tank and boosters.

    DD-257-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Three parts)

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

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!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 30.3s Reel ·

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It IS Rocket Science: NASA's Space Shuttle Was the First Reusable Crewed Spacecraft Instagram Reel · · 30.3s

The write-up

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

  1. Exhibit A

    1981

    The first shuttle flew in 1981.

  2. Exhibit B

    Three parts

    Orbiter, external tank and boosters.

  3. Exhibit C

    135 missions

    The fleet flew 135 missions.

  4. Exhibit D

    Hubble and ISS

    Shuttles serviced Hubble and built the ISS.

  5. Exhibit E

    2011

    The program ended in 2011.

Questions people ask about It IS Rocket Science

When did the Space Shuttle first fly?

Columbia.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (1981) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle

Which part was reused and landed?

Like a glider.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three parts) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle

How many missions flew?

Over 30 years.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (135 missions) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program

Which telescope did shuttles service?

Five missions.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hubble and ISS) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program

When did the program end?

Atlantis.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (2011) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. When did the Space Shuttle first fly?

    1. 1981
    2. 1969
    3. 1990
    4. 2001
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 1981 Columbia. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (1981) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle

  2. Which part was reused and landed?

    1. The orbiter
    2. The external tank
    3. Nothing
    4. The launch pad
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The orbiter Like a glider. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three parts) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle

  3. How many missions flew?

    1. 135
    2. 35
    3. 500
    4. 12
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 135 Over 30 years. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (135 missions) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program

  4. Which telescope did shuttles service?

    1. Hubble
    2. Webb
    3. Kepler
    4. Spitzer
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hubble Five missions. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hubble and ISS) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle program

  5. When did the program end?

    1. 2011
    2. 2003
    3. 1986
    4. 2020
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2011 Atlantis. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (2011) · Wikipedia: 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/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/ · Last updated

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