View source for Engineering:Space Shuttle orbiter

{{Short description|Reusable spacecraft component of the Space Shuttle system}}
{{Infobox spacecraft class
| name            = Space Shuttle orbiter
| image           = STS-121-DiscoveryEnhanced.jpg
| caption         = ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]'' approaches the [[Astronomy:International Space Station|International Space Station]] (ISS) on [[Engineering:STS-121|STS-121]]
| image_size      = 300px

| manufacturer    = [[Company:Rockwell International|Rockwell International]] (North American Aircraft Operations)
| country         = {{wipe|United States}}
| applications    = Crew and cargo [[Astronomy:Spaceplane|spaceplane]]
| spacecraft_type = Crewed, reusable
| launch_mass     = {{cvt|110000|kg}}
| dry_mass        = {{cvt|78000|kg}}
| length          = {{cvt|37.237|m}}
| winged          = yes
| span            = {{cvt|23.79|m}}
| label7          = Height

| capacities      = {{Infobox rocket/payload
  |location       = [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|Low Earth orbit]]
  |kilos          = {{cvt|24310|kg}}
 }}

| orbits          = [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|Low Earth orbit]]
| operator        = [[Organization:NASA|NASA]]
| status          = Retired
| built           = 6
| launched        = 5 orbiters<br/>135 missions
| lost            = 2 orbiters
| first           = {{OV|102}}<br/>[[Engineering:STS-1|STS-1]]<br/>(April 12, 1981)
| last            = {{OV|104}}<br/>[[Engineering:STS-135|STS-135]]<br/>(July 8, 2011)
| lastretired     = {{OV|104}}<br/>[[Engineering:STS-135|STS-135]]<br/>(July 21, 2011)
|height={{cvt|17.86|m}}}}

The '''Space Shuttle orbiter''' is the [[Astronomy:Spaceplane|spaceplane]] component of the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]], a partially [[Astronomy:Reusable launch system|reusable]] [[Engineering:Orbital spaceflight|orbital]] [[Engineering:Spacecraft|spacecraft]] system that was part of the discontinued [[Engineering:Space Shuttle program|Space Shuttle program]]. Operated from 1977 to 2011 by [[Organization:NASA|NASA]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/orbiters_toc.html |title=Facts About the Space Shuttles |publisher=NASA}}</ref> the U.S. space agency, this vehicle could carry astronauts and payloads into [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|low Earth orbit]], perform in-space operations, then [[Astronomy:Atmospheric entry|re-enter the atmosphere]] and land as a glider, returning its crew and any on-board payload to the Earth.

Six orbiters were built for flight: ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Enterprise|Enterprise]]'', ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]'', ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]'', ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]'', ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]'', and ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]''. All were built in Palmdale, California, by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based [[Company:Rockwell International|Rockwell International]] company's North American Aircraft Operations branch. The first orbiter, ''Enterprise'', made its maiden flight in 1977. An unpowered glider, it was carried by a modified [[Engineering:Boeing 747|Boeing 747]] airliner called the [[Engineering:Shuttle Carrier Aircraft|Shuttle Carrier Aircraft]] and released for a series of atmospheric test flights and landings. ''Enterprise'' was partially disassembled and retired after completion of critical testing. The remaining orbiters were fully operational spacecraft, and were launched vertically as part of the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]] stack.

''Columbia'' was the first space-worthy orbiter; it made its inaugural flight in 1981. ''Challenger'', ''Discovery'', and ''Atlantis'' followed in 1983, 1984, and 1985 respectively. In 1986, ''Challenger'' was [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|destroyed in an accident]] shortly after its 10th launch, killing all seven crew members. ''Endeavour'' was built as ''Challenger''{{'}}s successor, and was first launched in 1992. In 2003, ''Columbia'' was [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|destroyed during re-entry]], leaving just three remaining orbiters. ''Discovery'' completed its final flight on March 9, 2011, and ''Endeavour'' completed its final flight on June 1, 2011. ''Atlantis'' completed the final Shuttle flight, [[Engineering:STS-135|STS-135]], on July 21, 2011.

In addition to their crews and payloads, the reusable orbiter carried most of the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle System]]'s [[Engineering:Liquid-propellant rocket|liquid-propellant rocket]] system, but both the [[Chemistry:Liquid hydrogen|liquid hydrogen]] fuel and the [[Physics:Liquid oxygen|liquid oxygen]] oxidizer for its three main rocket engines were fed from an [[Engineering:Space Shuttle external tank|external cryogenic propellant tank]]. Additionally, two reusable [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|solid rocket boosters]] (SRBs) provided additional thrust for approximately the first two minutes of launch. The orbiters themselves did carry [[Chemistry:Hypergolic propellant|hypergolic propellant]]s for their [[Engineering:Reaction control system|Reaction Control System]] (RCS) [[Astronomy:Spacecraft propulsion|thrusters]] and [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System|Orbital Maneuvering System]] (OMS) engines.

== Description ==
About the size of a [[Engineering:McDonnell Douglas DC-9|McDonnell Douglas DC-9]],<ref name="stevens19810406">{{Cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=William K. |last2=Times |first2=Special To the New York |date=April 6, 1981 |title=New Generation of Astronauts Poised for Shuttle Era |language=en-US |page=A1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/06/us/new-generation-of-astronauts-poised-for-shuttle-era.html |access-date=July 14, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the Space Shuttle orbiter resembled an [[Engineering:Airplane|airplane]] in its design, with a standard-looking [[Engineering:Fuselage|fuselage]] and two double delta wings, both [[Engineering:Swept wing|swept wing]]s at an angle of 81 [[Degree (angle)|degrees]] at their inner [[Engineering:Leading edge|leading edge]]s and 45 degrees at their outer leading edges. The vertical stabilizer of the orbiter had a [[Engineering:Leading edge|leading edge]] that was swept back at a 45-degree angle. There were four [[Engineering:Elevon|elevon]]s mounted at the [[Engineering:Trailing edge|trailing edge]]s of the delta wings, and the combination rudder and speed brake was attached at the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer. These, along with a movable body flap located underneath the main engines, controlled the orbiter during later stages of reentry.

=== Attitude control system ===
[[File:Shuttle front RCS.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Space Shuttle forward reaction control thrusters]]

The Reaction Control System (RCS) was composed of 44 small liquid-fueled rocket thrusters and their very sophisticated [[Fly-by-wire|fly-by-wire]] flight control system, which utilized computationally intensive digital [[Kalman filter]]ing. This control system carried out the usual attitude control along the pitch, roll, and yaw axes during all of the flight phases of launching, [[Physics:Orbit|orbit]]ing, and re-entry. This system also executed any needed orbital maneuvers, including all changes in the orbit's altitude, [[Astronomy:Orbital plane|orbital plane]], and [[Astronomy:Orbital eccentricity|eccentricity]]. These were all operations that required more thrust and [[Physics:Impulse|impulse]] than mere attitude control.

The forward rockets of the Reaction Control System, located near the nose of the Space Shuttle orbiter, included 14 primary and two [[Engineering:Vernier thruster|vernier]] RCS rockets. The aft RCS engines were located in the two [[Engineering:Orbital Maneuvering System|Orbital Maneuvering System]] (OMS) pods at the rear of the orbiter, and these included 12 primary (PRCS) and two vernier (VRCS) engines in each pod. The PRCS system provided the pointing control of the Orbiter, and the VRCS was used for fine maneuvering during the rendezvous, docking, and undocking maneuvers with the [[Astronomy:International Space Station|International Space Station]], or formerly with the Russian Mir space station. The RCS also controlled the attitude of the orbiter during most of its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere – until the air became dense enough that the rudder, elevons and body flap became effective.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/rcs/overview.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210010626/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/rcs/overview.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2001 |title=HSF – The Shuttle |publisher=NASA|access-date=July 17, 2009}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The orbiter's OMS and RCS fuel is monomethyl hydrazine (CH<sub>3</sub>NHNH<sub>2</sub>), and the oxidizer is dinitrogen tetroxide (N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>). This particular propellant combination is extremely reactive and spontaneously ignites on contact (hypergolic) with each other. This chemical reaction (4CH<sub>3</sub>NHNH<sub>2</sub> + 5N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> → 9N<sub>2</sub> + 4CO<sub>2</sub> + 12H<sub>2</sub>O) occurs within the engine's combustion chamber. The reaction products are then expanded and accelerated in the engine bell to provide thrust. Due to their hypergolic characteristics these two chemicals are easily started and restarted without an ignition source, which makes them ideal for spacecraft maneuvering systems.

During the early design process of the orbiter, the forward RCS thrusters were to be hidden underneath retractable doors, which would open once the orbiter reached space. These were omitted in favor of flush-mounted thrusters for fear that the RCS doors would remain stuck open and endanger the crew and orbiter during re-entry.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Part IV. The Shuttle Era |title=Forever Young: A Life of Adventure in Air and Space |publisher=University Press of Florida |type=Kindle eBook |first1=John W. |last1=Young |first2=James R. |last2=Hansen |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-8130-4281-7 |oclc=1039310141 |quote=In the design plans, we saw that the RCS would have big doors that opened outward. The problem was, if those doors failed to close, the orbiter would be lost as it was coming back through the atmosphere. I wrote a 'review item disposition' (RID) asking NASA to eliminate the outward-opening doors.}}</ref>

===Pressurized cabin===
[[File:STSCPanel.jpg|thumb|Space Shuttle [[Engineering:Glass cockpit|glass cockpit]] (simulated, composite image)]] 
[[File:S123 Linnehan through the window.jpg|thumb|A window on ''Endeavour''{{'s}} aft flight deck]]
The orbiter's flight deck or cockpit originally had 2,214 controls and displays, about three times as many as the Apollo command module.{{r|stevens19810406}} The crew cabin consisted of the flight deck, the mid-deck, and the utility area. The uppermost of these was the flight deck, in which sat the Space Shuttle's commander and pilot, with up to two mission specialists seated behind them. The mid-deck, which was below the flight deck, had three more seats for the rest of the crew members.

The galley, toilet, sleep locations, storage lockers, and the side hatch for entering and exiting the orbiter were also located on the mid-deck, as well as the [[Engineering:Airlock|airlock]]. The airlock had an additional hatch into the payload bay. This airlock allowed two or three astronauts, wearing their Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) space suits, to depressurize before a [[Astronomy:Extravehicular activity|walk in space]] (EVA), and also to repressurize and re-enter the orbiter at the conclusion of the EVA.

The utility area was located under the floor of the mid-deck and contained air and water tanks in addition to the [[Physics:Carbon dioxide scrubber|carbon dioxide scrubbing]] system.

===Propulsion===
[[File:020408 STS110 Atlantis launch.jpg|thumb|''Atlantis'''s main engines during launch]]

Three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) were mounted on the orbiter's aft fuselage in the pattern of an [[Equilateral triangle|equilateral triangle]]. These three liquid-fueled engines [[Engineering:Thrust vectoring|could be swiveled]] 10.5 degrees vertically and 8.5 degrees horizontally during the rocket-powered ascent of the orbiter in order to change the direction of their thrust. Hence, they steered the entire Space Shuttle, as well as providing rocket thrust towards orbit. The aft fuselage also housed three [[Engineering:Auxiliary power unit|auxiliary power unit]]s (APU). The APUs chemically converted [[Chemistry:Hydrazine|hydrazine]] fuel from a liquid state to a gas state, powering a [[Engineering:Hydraulic pump|hydraulic pump]]  which supplied pressure for all of the hydraulic system, including the hydraulic sub-system that pointed the three main liquid-fueled rocket engines, under computerized flight control. The hydraulic pressure generated was also used to control all of the orbiter's flight control surfaces (the elevons, rudder, speed brake, etc.), to deploy the landing gear of the orbiter, and to retract the umbilical hose connection doors located near the rear landing gear, which supplied the orbiter's SSMEs with liquid hydrogen and oxygen from the external tank.

Two [[Engineering:Orbital Maneuvering System|Orbital Maneuvering System]] (OMS) thrusters were mounted in two separate removable pods on the orbiter's aft fuselage, located between the SSMEs and the vertical stabilizer. The OMS engines provided significant thrust for course [[Astronomy:Orbital maneuver|orbital maneuver]]s, including insertion, circularization, transfer, rendezvous, deorbit, [[Engineering:Space Shuttle abort modes|abort to orbit, and to abort once around]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-oms.html#sts-oms |title=Orbital Maneuvering System |publisher=NASA |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> At lift-off, two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) were used to take the vehicle to an altitude of roughly 140,000 feet.<ref name="Kulkarni2005">{{cite conference |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20060019188 |title=Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control Requirements for an Intelligent Plug-n-Play Avionics (PAPA) Architecture |conference=AIAA Infotech@Aerospace. September 26–29, 2005. Arlington, Virginia. |first1=Nilesh |last1=Kulkarni |first2=Kalmaje |last2=Krishnakumar |date=2005 |doi=10.2514/6.2005-7123 |hdl=2060/20060019188 |id=AIAA 2005-7123|hdl-access=free }}</ref>

===Electrical power===
Electric power for the orbiter's subsystems was provided by a set of three hydrogen-oxygen [[Physics:Fuel cell|fuel cell]]s which produced 28 volt DC power and was also converted into 115 volt 400&nbsp;Hz AC [[Physics:Three-phase electric power|three-phase electric power]] (for systems that used [[Physics:AC power|AC power]]).<ref name="Electrical Power System">{{cite web |url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/eps/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010504093101/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/eps/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 4, 2001 |work=Shuttle Reference Manual |publisher=NASA Human Spaceflight |title=Electrical Power System |access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> These provided power to the entire Shuttle stack (including the SRBs and ET) from T-minus 3m30s up through the end of the mission. The hydrogen and oxygen for the fuel cells was kept in pairs of cryogenic storage tanks in the mid-fuselage underneath the payload bay liner, and a variable number of such tank sets could be installed (up to five pairs) depending on the requirements of the mission. The three fuel cells were capable of generating 21 kilowatts of power continuously (or a 15-minute peak of 36 kilowatts) with the orbiter consuming an average of about 14 kilowatts of that power (leaving 7 kilowatts for the payload).

Additionally, the fuel cells provided potable water for the crew during the mission.

===Computer systems===
The orbiter's computer system consisted of five identical [[Engineering:IBM AP-101|IBM AP-101]] [[Engineering:Avionics|avionics]] computers, which redundantly controlled the vehicle's on-board systems. The specialized HAL/S programming language was used for orbiter systems.<ref name="nasagpc">{{cite web |url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/avionics/dps/gpc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010608173130/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/avionics/dps/gpc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2001 |title=General-Purpose Computers |publisher=NASA |access-date=January 18, 2014}}</ref><ref name="nyt20030207">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/07/us/loss-shuttle-technology-computers-driving-shuttle-are-be-included-inquiry.html?pagewanted=all |title=Loss of the Shuttle: Technology; Computers Driving Shuttle Are to Be Included in Inquiry |work={{wipe|The New York Times}} |first=Steve |last=Lohr |date=February 7, 2003 |access-date=January 18, 2014}}</ref>

===Thermal protection===
[[File:STS-114 Discovery thermal protection system (S114-E-6412).jpg|thumb|''Discovery''{{'s}} ventral thermal protection system]]

The orbiters were protected by [[Engineering:Space Shuttle thermal protection system|Thermal Protection System]] (TPS) materials (developed by [[Company:Rockwell International|Rockwell Space Systems]]) inside and out, from the orbiter's outer surface to the payload bay.<ref name="NASA Tech Briefs">{{cite journal |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20110003618 |title=Automotive Design & Manufacturing |series=40 Years of Innovations |journal=NASA Tech Briefs |volume=22 |issue=9 |page=26 |date=September 1998 |hdl=2060/20110003618}}</ref><ref name="Oakes 2003">{{cite web | last=Oakes | first=Ryan | title=Space Shuttle Tiles | website=UW Departments Web Server | date=June 2, 2003 | url=https://depts.washington.edu/matseed/mse_resources/Webpage/Space%20Shuttle%20Tiles/Space%20Shuttle%20Tiles.htm | access-date=March 24, 2023}}</ref> The TPS protected it from the cold soak of {{convert|−121|C}} in space to the {{convert|1649|C}} heat of re-entry. The tile materials comprising much of the orbiter's outermost layer were mostly air held within near-pure [[Chemistry:Silica|silica]] fibers, which made it efficient at [[Astronomy:Atmospheric entry#refractory insulation|refractory insulation]] that absorbed and redirected heat back out into the air, and covered in [[Chemistry:Silicon boride|silicon boride]]s and [[Chemistry:Borosilicate glass|borosilicate glass]], with blacker tiles covering the lower surface, and whiter tiles covering the tail, parts of the upper wing and crew cabin surfaces, and the outsides of the payload bay doors. The nose cap, nose landing gear doors, and leading edges were made of [[Chemistry:Reinforced carbon–carbon|reinforced carbon–carbon]], which is [[Chemistry:Rayon|rayon]] impregnated with [[Chemistry:Graphite|graphite]]-filled resins and coated in [[Chemistry:Silicon carbide|silicon carbide]].<ref name="Lyle Fasanella 2009 pp. 702–708">{{cite journal | last=Lyle | first=Karen H. | last2=Fasanella | first2=Edwin L. | title=Permanent set of the Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System Reinforced Carbon–Carbon material | journal=Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=40 | issue=6-7 | year=2009 | issn=1359-835X | doi=10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.02.016 | pages=702–708}}</ref> The upper, white materials that were not in tiles were mostly made of either [[Engineering:Nomex|Nomex]] felt coated in [[Chemistry:Silicon|silicon]]-rich [[Physics:Elastomer|elastomer]] or [[Engineering:Beta cloth|beta cloth]], woven silica fibers covered in [[Engineering:Teflon|Teflon]]. This was especially true in the interior of the payload bay.<ref name="Finckenor Dooling 1999">{{Cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19990047691.pdf|title = Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines|date = April 1999|last1 = Finckenor|first1 = M. M.|last2 = Dooling|first2 = D.|access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=STS-6 Press Information|url=http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/shuttle_pk/mrk/FLIGHT_006_STS-006_MRK.pdf|publisher=Rockwell International – Space Transportation & Systems Group|access-date=16 March 2023|page=7|date=March 1983|quote="Orbital maneuvering system/reaction control system low temperature reusable surface insulation tiles (LRSI) replaced with advanced flexible reusable surface insulation (AFRSI) consisting of a sewn composite quilted fabric blanket with same silica tile material sandwiched between outer and inner blanket."}}</ref><ref name="nasareport">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/167473main_TPS-06rev.pdf |title=Orbiter Thermal Protection System, Thermal Materials |publisher=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]] |year=2006 |pages=3 |accessdate=2023-03-16}}</ref><ref name="Oakes 2003"/>

===Structure===
The orbiter's structure was made primarily from [[Chemistry:Aluminium alloy|aluminium alloy]], although the engine thrust structure was made from [[Chemistry:Titanium alloy|titanium alloy]]. The later orbiters (''Discovery'', ''Atlantis'' and ''Endeavour'') substituted graphite epoxy for aluminum in some structural elements in order to reduce weight. The windows were made of aluminum silicate glass and fused silica glass, and comprised an internal pressure pane, a {{convert|1.3|in|mm|adj=mid|-thick}} optical pane, and an external thermal pane.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/webcasts/shuttle/sts113/processing-qa.html |title=STS-113 Space Shuttle Processing Questions & Answers (NASA KSC) |publisher=NASA |date=November 15, 2002 |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> The windows were tinted with the same ink used to make [[Finance:Federal Reserve Note|American banknotes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/441167-p4.html |title=Mysterious $100 'supernote' counterfeit bills appear across world |work=The Kansas City Star |first=Linjin |last=Fan |date=January 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117121138/http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/441167-p4.html |archive-date=January 17, 2008}}</ref>

=== Landing gear ===
[[File:Space Shuttle Atlantis landing at KSC following STS-122 (crop).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|''Atlantis''{{'s}} landing gear are deployed following STS-122.]]

The Space Shuttle orbiter had three sets of landing gear which emerged downwards through doors in the heat shield. As a weight-saving measure, the gear could not be retracted once deployed. Since any premature extension of the landing gear would very likely have been catastrophic (as it opened through the heat shield layers), the landing gear could only be lowered by manual controls, and not by any automatic system.

Similarly, since the Shuttle landed at high speed and could not abort its landing attempt, the gear had to deploy reliably on the first try every time. The gear were unlocked and deployed by triple redundant hydraulics, with the gear doors actuated by mechanical linkages to the gear strut. If all three hydraulic systems failed to release the landing gear uplocks within one second of the release command, pyrotechnic charges automatically cut the lock hooks and a set of springs deployed the gear.

During landing, the Shuttle nose wheel could be steered with the [[Engineering:Rudder pedal|rudder pedal]]s in the cockpit. During the construction of {{OV|105}}, an improved nose wheel steering system was developed which allowed easier and more effective nose wheel steering. After ''Endeavour''{{'s}} roll-out, the system was installed on the other shuttles during their overhauls in the early 1990s.

=== Lack of navigational lights ===
The Space Shuttle orbiter did not carry [[Physics:Strobe light|anti-collision lights]], [[Engineering:Navigation light|navigational lights]], or landing lights, because the orbiter always landed in areas that had been specially cleared by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the {{wipe|United States Air Force}}. The orbiter always landed at either [[Organization:Edwards Air Force Base|Edwards Air Force Base]], {{wipe|California}} or at the Kennedy Space Center [[Organization:Shuttle Landing Facility|Shuttle Landing Facility]], Florida, except [[Engineering:STS-3|STS-3]] at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Similar special clearances (no-fly zones) were also in effect at potential emergency landing sites, such as in {{wipe|Spain}} and in [[Place:West Africa|West Africa]] during all launches.

When an orbiter landing was carried out at night, the runway was always strongly illuminated with light from [[Physics:High-intensity discharge lamp|floodlights]] and [[Engineering:Searchlight|spotlights]] on the ground, making landing lights on the orbiter unnecessary and also an unneeded spaceflight weight load. A total of 26 landings took place at night, the first being [[Engineering:STS-8|STS-8]] in September 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/night_landings.html|title=Space Shuttle Night Landings|publisher=NASA|access-date=July 23, 2011}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

=== Markings and insignia ===
[[File:World's First Five Spaceplanes.PNG|thumb|upright=1.0|right|The Space Shuttle orbiter ranks second among the world's first spaceplanes, preceded only by the North American X-15 and followed by the Buran, SpaceShipOne, and the Boeing X-37.]]
[[File:Enterprise free flight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|''Enterprise'' displaying the orbiter markings.]]

The [[Typeface|typeface]] used on the Space Shuttle orbiter was Helvetica.<ref>{{cite video|date=September 12, 2007|title=Helvetica|medium=Documentary}}</ref>

The prototype orbiter ''Enterprise'' originally had a flag of the United States on the upper surface of the left wing and the letters "USA" in black on the right wing. The name "Enterprise" in black was painted on the payload bay doors just above the forwardmost hinge and behind the crew module; on the aft end of the payload bay doors was the [[Astronomy:NASA insignia|NASA "worm" logotype]] in gray. Underneath the rear of the payload bay doors on the side of the fuselage just above the wing was the text "United States" in black with a flag of the United States ahead of it.

The first operational orbiter, ''Columbia'', originally had the same markings as ''Enterprise'', although the letters "USA" on the right wing were slightly larger and spaced farther apart. ''Columbia'' also had black tiles which ''Enterprise'' lacked on its forward RCS module, around the cockpit windows, and on its vertical stabilizer. ''Columbia'' also had distinctive black [[Engineering:Chine (aeronautics)|chines]] on the forward part of its upper wing surfaces, which none of the other orbiters had.

[[File:NASA Worm logo (gray).svg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Gray NASA "worm" logotype used on the orbiters from 1982 to 1998.]]

''Challenger'' established a modified marking scheme for the shuttle fleet that would be matched by ''Discovery'', ''Atlantis'' and ''Endeavour''. The letters "USA" in black above an American flag were displayed on the left wing, with the NASA "worm" logotype in gray centered above the name of the orbiter in black on the right wing. Also, the name of the orbiter was inscribed not on the payload bay doors, but on the forward fuselage just below and behind the cockpit windows. This would make the name visible when the orbiter was photographed in orbit with the doors open. ''Challenger'' also had black tiles on the tip of its vertical stabilizer much like ''Columbia'', which the other orbiters lacked.

In 1983, ''Enterprise'' had its wing markings changed to match ''Challenger'', and the NASA "worm" logotype on the aft end of the payload bay doors was changed from gray to black. Some black markings were added to the nose, cockpit windows and vertical tail to more closely resemble the flight vehicles, but the name "Enterprise" remained on the payload bay doors as there was never any need to open them. ''Columbia'' had its name moved to the forward fuselage to match the other flight vehicles after [[Engineering:STS-61-C|STS-61-C]], during the 1986–1988 hiatus when the shuttle fleet was grounded following the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|loss of ''Challenger'']], but retained its original wing markings until its last overhaul (after [[Engineering:STS-93|STS-93]]), and its unique black chines for the remainder of its operational life.

[[File:NASA logo.svg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|NASA "meatball" insignia used on the operational Space Shuttle orbiters after 1998.]]

Beginning in 1998, the flight vehicles' markings were modified to incorporate the NASA [[Astronomy:NASA insignia|"meatball" insignia]]. The "worm" logotype, which the agency had phased out, was removed from the payload bay doors and the "meatball" insignia was added aft of the "United States" text on the lower aft fuselage. The "meatball" insignia was also displayed on the left wing, with the American flag above the orbiter's name, left-justified rather than centered, on the right wing. The three surviving flight vehicles, ''Discovery'', ''Atlantis'' and ''Endeavour'', still bear these markings as museum displays. ''Enterprise'' became the property of the Smithsonian Institution in 1985 and was no longer under NASA's control when these changes were made, hence the prototype orbiter still has its 1983 markings and still has its name on the payload bay doors.

=== Retirement ===
With the end of the Shuttle program, plans were made to place the three remaining Space Shuttle orbiters on permanent display. NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. announced the disposition location of the orbiters on April 12, 2011, the 50th anniversary of the [[Astronomy:Vostok 1|first human space flight]] and the 30th anniversary of the [[Engineering:STS-1|first flight]] of ''Columbia''. ''Discovery'' went to the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, replacing ''Enterprise'' which was moved to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in {{wipe|New York City}}. ''Endeavour'' went to the California Science Center in Los Angeles arriving on October 14, 2012. ''Atlantis'' went to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on November 2, 2012. Hundreds of other shuttle artifacts will be put on display at various other museums and educational institutions around the U.S.<ref name="NASA_release_11-107">{{cite news|url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/apr/HQ_11-107_Orbiter_Disposition.html|title=NASA Announces New Homes For Shuttle Orbiters After Retirement|first=David|last=Weaver|publisher=NASA|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=April 12, 2011}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

One of the Crew Compartment Trainer Flight and mid-deck training hardware is on display at the {{wipe|National Museum of the U.S. Air Force}},<ref>{{cite web|title=Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195845/space-shuttle-crew-compartment-trainer/|publisher=National Museum of the United States Air Force|date=March 14, 2016|access-date=May 1, 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> while the other is on display at the JSC.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hutchinson|first1=Lee|title=A detailed photo tour of NASA's space shuttle cockpit trainer |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2015/06/a-detailed-photo-tour-of-nasas-space-shuttle-cockpit-trainer/|publisher=Ars Technica|date=June 26, 2015|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> The Full Fuselage Trainer, which includes the payload bay and aft section but no wings, is on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pearlman|first1=Robert|title=NASA Space Shuttle Trainer Lands at seattle's Museum of Flight|url=https://www.space.com/16384-space-shuttle-trainer-seattle-museum.html|date=July 1, 2012|publisher=Space.com|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> The Mission Simulation and Training Facility's [[Engineering:Shuttle Mission Simulator|Shuttle Mission Simulator]] Fixed Base Simulator originally went to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mullen|first1=W.|title=No shuttle for Adler, but museum will fly with simulator|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-12/news/ct-met-adler-planetarium-space-shuttl20110412_1_flight-situations-shuttle-space-flights|newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=April 12, 2011|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> but was later transferred to the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pearlman|first1=Robert|title='Sooner State' shuttle: Stafford Museum to display NASA simulator in Oklahoma|url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-080316a-shuttle-simulator-stafford-museum.html|date=August 3, 2016|publisher=collectSPACE|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> The Motion Base Simulator was transferred to the Texas A&M Aerospace Engineering Department in College Station, Texas,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pearlman|first1=Robert|title=Retired Space Shuttle Simulator to 'Fly' Again at Texas A&M|url=https://www.space.com/14074-retired-space-shuttle-simulator-texas-university.html|date=December 29, 2011|publisher=Space.com|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> and the Guidance and Navigation Simulator went to the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum in Starke, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Winston|first1=Hannah|title=A piece of NASA history lands at Keystone Heights museum|url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20120506/a-piece-of-nasa-history-lands--at-keystone-heights-museum|newspaper=The Gainesville Sun|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> NASA also made approximately 7,000 TPS tiles available to schools and universities.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pearlman|first1=Robert|title=NASA Offers Space Shuttle Tiles to Schools|url=https://www.space.com/9641-nasa-offers-space-shuttle-tiles-schools.html|date=December 3, 2010|publisher=Space.com|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref>

== Shuttle Orbiter Specifications (OV-105) ==
[[File:STS orbiter 4-view diagram (EG-0076-07).png|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=<ref name="esa.shuttle">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Space_Shuttle/Shuttle_technical_facts|title=Shuttle Technical Facts|series=Tribute to the Space Shuttle |publisher=European Space Agency|access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref>
|prime units?=imp

|crew           = Eight: Commander, pilot, three mission and three payload specialists
|capacity       = 2-8 passengers ''or'' {{cvt|25060|kg}}
|length m       = 37.237
|span m         = 23.79
|height m       = 17.86
|wing area sqm   = 249.9
|wing area note = <ref name="TM-X-3492">{{cite book|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19770018245|title=Analysis of Separation of the Space Shuttle Orbiter from a Large Transport Airplane |publisher=NASA/Langley Research Center|first=Alan W.|last=Wilhite|page=10|date=June 1977|hdl=2060/19770018245|id=NASA TM X-3492; 77N-25189}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|empty weight kg       = 78000
|max takeoff weight kg = 110000
|more general          = 

* '''Payload to [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|LEO]]''': {{cvt|24310|kg}}

* '''Cargo bay dimensions''': {{cvt|60|xx|15|ft}}

<!--
Powerplant
-->
| eng1 number = 3
| eng1 name   = [[Company:Rocketdyne|Rocketdyne]] Block 2-A [[Engineering:RS-25|RS-25]]
| eng1 type   = [[Engineering:Liquid-propellant rocket|liquid-fuelled]] [[Engineering:Rocket engine|rocket engine]]
| eng1 lbf    = 418000

| eng2 number = 2
| eng2 name   = [[Company:Aerojet|Aerojet]] [[Engineering:AJ10|AJ10-190]]
| eng2 type   = [[Engineering:Liquid-propellant rocket|liquid-fuelled]] [[Engineering:Rocket engine|rocket engine]]
| eng2 kn     = 26.7
| more power  = 

<!--
OMS and RCS Engines: propellant [[Chemistry:Monomethylhydrazine|Monomethylhydrazine]] and [[Chemistry:Dinitrogen tetroxide|dinitrogen tetroxide]]
Performance
-->
| max speed kmh   = 27870
| range km         = 190-960
| ceiling m        = 185000-643000
| glide ratio      = Variable with speed, 1:1 at [[Physics:Hypersonic speed|hypersonic speed]] - 2:1 at [[Supersonic speed|supersonic speed]] - 4.5:1 at subsonic speed<ref name="SSTC">{{cite book|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19850008580
|title=Space Shuttle Technical Conference, Part 1|publisher=NASA|editor-first=Norman|editor-last=Chaffee|date=January 1985|id=NASA CP-2342-Pt-1; N85-16889|hdl=2060/19850008580}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
| more performance = 
}}

The cargo bay is {{cvt|60|ft}} by {{cvt|15|ft}},<ref name="SP-2010-3409">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20110011792|chapter=The Space Shuttle and Its Operations|title=Wings in Orbit: Scientific and Engineering Legacies of the Space Shuttle, 1971-2010|publisher=NASA|editor1-first=Wayne|editor1-last=Hale|editor2-first=Helen|editor2-last=Lane|editor3-first=Gail|editor3-last=Chapline|editor4-first=Kamlesh|editor4-last=Lulla|page=59|date=2011|isbn=978-0-16-086846-7|hdl=2060/20110011792|id=NASA SP-2010-3409}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> and could transport {{cvt|24400|kg}} to {{cvt|204|km}}, or {{cvt|12500|kg}} to the ISS at {{cvt|407|km}}.<ref name="astrx.shuttle">{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/s/spaceshuttle.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712165527/http://www.astronautix.com/s/spaceshuttle.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2016|title=Space Shuttle|publisher=Astronautix.com|first=Mark|last=Wade|access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref> The most massive payload launched by the Space Shuttle was the [[Astronomy:Chandra X-ray Observatory|Chandra X-ray Observatory]] in 1999 at {{cvt|50162|lb|kg}}, including its [[Engineering:Inertial Upper Stage|Inertial Upper Stage]] (IUS) and support equipment.<ref name="chandra-quick-facts">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/background/facts/cxoquick.html|title=Chandra X-ray Observatory Quick Facts|publisher=NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center|date=August 1999|access-date=January 5, 2019}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The Shuttle was capable of returning approximately {{cvt|16000|kg}} of cargo to Earth.<ref name="SP-2006-557">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/167126main_Transportation_Logistics.pdf|chapter=Transportation/Logistics|title=Reference Guide to the International Space Station|publisher=NASA|editor-first=Gary H. |editor-last=Kitmacher|date=August 2006|isbn=0-9710327-2-6|id=NASA SP-2006-557}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The orbiter's maximum glide ratio / [[Engineering:Lift-to-drag ratio|lift-to-drag ratio]] varied considerably with speed, ranging from 1:1 at [[Physics:Hypersonic speed|hypersonic speed]]s, 2:1 at [[Supersonic speed|supersonic speed]]s, and reaching 4.5:1 at subsonic speeds during approach and landing.<ref name="SSTC"/>

== Fleet ==
[[File:Shuttle profiles.jpg|thumb|center|upright=3.0|Shuttle launch profiles. From left to right: ''Columbia'', ''Challenger'', ''Discovery'', ''Atlantis'', and ''Endeavour''.]]

Individual Space Shuttle orbiters were named in honor of antique sailing ships of the navies of the world (though the test orbiter ''Enterprise'', originally to be named "''Constitution''", had its name changed after the ''Star Trek'' starship, itself named after a series of US Navy ships), and they were also numbered using the NASA [[Engineering:Orbiter Vehicle Designation|Orbiter Vehicle]] designation system. Three of the names had also been given to Apollo spacecraft between 1969 and 1972: [[Engineering:Apollo 11|Apollo 11]] Command Module ''Columbia'', [[Engineering:Apollo 15|Apollo 15]] Command Module ''Endeavour'', and [[Engineering:Apollo 17|Apollo 17]] Lunar Module ''Challenger''.

While all of the orbiters were externally practically identical, they had minor differences in their interiors. New equipment for the Orbiters was installed in the same order that they underwent maintenance work, and the newer orbiters were constructed by Rockwell International, under NASA supervision, with some more advanced, lighter in weight, structural elements. Thus, the newer orbiters (''Discovery'', ''Atlantis'' and ''Endeavour'') had slightly more cargo capacity than ''Columbia'' or ''Challenger''.

The Space Shuttle orbiters were assembled at Rockwell's assembly facility in Palmdale, California,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts_asm.html |title=Orbiter Manufacturing and Assembly |publisher=NASA |quote=Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility was where all the individual parts, pieces and systems (many of which were built by various subcontractors) came together and were assembled and tested}}</ref> at the federally owned Plant 42 complex.

=== Orbiter Vehicle Designation ===

Each [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]] designation was composed of a [[Astronomy:List of spacecraft prefixes|prefix]] and suffix separated by a dash. The prefix for operational shuttles is OV, for '''Orbiter Vehicle'''. The suffix is composed of two parts: the series and the vehicle number; "0" was used for non-flight ready orbiters, and "1" was used for flight-ready orbiters. The vehicle number is sequentially assigned within the series, beginning with 1. Therefore, there can never be an OV-100 as it would read "Orbiter Vehicle Series 1 Vehicle 0". Many proposals to build a second generation of orbiters, externally compatible with the current system but internally new, refer to them as "OV-200" or "OV-2xx" in order to differentiate them from the "first generation", the OV-100s. This terminology is informal, and it is unlikely that any Shuttle-derived vehicle built will be given such designation. ''Challenger'' was originally intended to be used as a Structural Test Article (STA), rather than a flight-capable orbiter; as such, the numbering was changed when it was rebuilt. ''Enterprise'', on the other hand, was intended to be rebuilt into a flight-capable orbiter; it was found to be cheaper to rebuild STA-099 than OV-101, so it remained unflown. The designations were not altered, despite these changes in plans. An "OV-106" designation was given to the set of structural components manufactured to replace those used in the construction of ''Endeavour''; however, the contract for these was canceled shortly afterwards, and they were never completed.<ref>[http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/1b.pdf SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM HAER No. TX-116, page 59, note 205] Retrieved June 8, 2017 {{PD-notice}}</ref> The "096" and "097" designators were given to structural test articles that were canceled, but while they exist in some NASA records, the NASA History Office has no official record of STA-096 and STA-097.<ref>[http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/1b.pdf SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM HAER No. TX-116, page 55] Retrieved June 24, 2014 {{PD-notice}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" | Orbiter vehicles
! colspan="2" | Test articles
|-
! Designation
! Vehicle
! Designation
! Vehicle
|-

! OV-099 {{Efn|Formerly known as '''STA-099'''.}}
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]''
! OV-095
| [[Organization:Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory|Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory]] (SAIL) mockup
|-

! OV-101
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Enterprise|Enterprise]]''
! STA-096 
| ECLSS Structural Test Article
|-

! OV-102
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]''
! STA-097
| Vibro Acoustic Structural Test Article
|-

! OV-103
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]''
! OV-098 {{Efn|Retroactive honorary designation}}
| ''Pathfinder''
|-

! OV-104
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]''
! MPTA-098
| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Main Propulsion Test Article|Main Propulsion Test Article]]
|-

! OV-105
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]''
| colspan="2" | 
|-
| colspan="4" | {{Notelist}}
|}

=== Test article ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="background:#ffdead;"| Test Articles
|-
! class="unsortable"| Picture
! style="width:5em;"| [[Engineering:Orbiter Vehicle Designation|OVD]]
! style="width:5em;" data-sort-type="name"| Name
! Notes
|-

| scope"row"| [[File:SAIL cockpit simulator (JSC2011-E-067673).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
| scope"row"| OV-095
| -
| [[Organization:Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory|Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory]], simulator for actual flight hardware and software system testing and training
|-

| scope"row"| [[File:Space_Shuttle_Orbiter_model_Pathfinder.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
| scope"row"| OV-098 {{efn|Unofficial honorary designation}}
| ''Pathfinder''
| Orbiter simulator for moving and handling tests. Currently on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
|-

|scope"row"| [[File:MPTA-098.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| [[Engineering:MPTA-098|MPTA-098]]
| –
| Testbed for propulsion and fuel delivery systems
|-

|scope"row"| [[File:Space Shuttle Challenger as STA-099.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| STA-099
| –
| Structural test article used for stress and thermal testing, later became ''Challenger''
|-

|scope"row"| [[File:Enterprise free flight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-101
| ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Enterprise|Enterprise]]''
| First atmospheric free flight August 12, 1977. Used for approach and landing tests, not suitable for spaceflight. Formerly located at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the orbiter is currently located on the flight deck of the USS ''Intrepid'' (CV-11) at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.<ref name="NASA_release_11-107"/>
|}

=== Operational orbiters ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="8" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="background:#ffdead;"| Operational Orbiters
|-
! style="width:15em;"| Name
! class="unsortable" | Picture
! style="width:5em;" | [[Engineering:Orbiter Vehicle Designation|OVD]]
! style="width:10em;" data-sort-type="isoDate"| First flight
! style="width:10em;"| Number of flights
! style="width:10em;" data-sort-type="isoDate"| Last flight
! style="width:10em;" class="unsortable"| Status <ref name=OrbStatus>{{cite web|title=Orbiter Vehicles|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/orbiters.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
! style="width:2em;" class="unsortable"| Ref.
|-

|scope"row"| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Atlantis|''Atlantis'']]
|scope"row"| [[File:STS-125 Atlantis Liftoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-104
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1985-10-03"| [[Engineering:STS-51-J|STS-51-J]]<br/>October 3–7, 1985
|scope"row"| 33
|scope"row" data-sort-value="2011-07-08"| [[Engineering:STS-135|STS-135]]<br/>July 8–21, 2011
|{{draw| Retired.<br/>{{small|Displayed at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.}}}}
|scope"row" align="center"| <ref name=Atlantis>{{cite web|title=Atlantis (OV-104)|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/atlantis.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828172022/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/atlantis.html|archive-date=August 28, 2011}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|-

|scope"row"| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger|''Challenger'']]
|scope"row"| [[File:Space Shuttle Challenger (04-04-1983).JPEG|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-099
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1983-04-04"| [[Engineering:STS-6|STS-6]]<br/>April 4–9, 1983
|scope"row"| 10
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1986-01-28"| [[Engineering:STS-51-L|STS-51-L]]<br/>January 28, 1986
|{{no|Destroyed.<br/>{{small|[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Disintegrated due to faulty solid rocket booster]] on January 28, 1986. Debris buried at Cape Canaveral LC-31.}}}}
|scope"row" align="center"| <ref name=Challenger>{{cite web|title=Challenger (STA-099, OV-99)|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/challenger.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|-

|scope"row"| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia|''Columbia'']]
|scope"row"| [[File:Space Shuttle Columbia launching.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-102
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1981-04-12"| [[Engineering:STS-1|STS-1]]<br/>April 12–14, 1981
|scope"row"| 28
|scope"row" data-sort-value="2003-01-16"| [[Engineering:STS-107|STS-107]]<br/>January 16 – February 1, 2003
|{{no|Destroyed.<br/>{{small|[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|Broke up on reentry due to wing damage during launch]] on February 1, 2003. Remains of orbiter stored at [[Astronomy:Vehicle Assembly Building|Vehicle Assembly Building]].}}
|scope"row" align="center"| <ref name=Columbia>{{cite web|title=Columbia (OV-102)|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/columbia.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>}}
|-

|scope"row"| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|''Discovery'']]
|scope"row"| [[File:STS-133 Discovery Lift Off Launch Pad 39A KSC.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-103
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1984-08-30"| [[Engineering:STS-41-D|STS-41-D]]<br/>August 30, 1984
|scope"row"| 39
|scope"row" data-sort-value="2011-02-24"| [[Engineering:STS-133|STS-133]]<br/>February 24, 2011
|{{draw|Retired.<br/>{{small|Displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.}}}}
|scope"row" align="center"| <ref name=Discovery>{{cite web|title=Discovery (OV-103)|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/discovery.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|-

|scope"row"| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Endeavour|''Endeavour'']]
|scope"row"| [[File:STS-127 Launch 04.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-105
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1992-05-07"| [[Engineering:STS-49|STS-49]]<br/>May 7, 1992
|scope"row"| 25
|scope"row" data-sort-value="2011-05-16"| [[Engineering:STS-134|STS-134]]<br/>May 16, 2011
|{{draw|Retired.<br/>{{small| Displayed at California Science Center in {{wipe|Los Angeles}}, California.}}}}
|scope"row" align="center"| <ref name=Endeavour>{{cite web|title=Endeavour (OV-105)|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/endeavour.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|-

|scope"row"| [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Enterprise|''Enterprise'']]
|scope"row"| [[File:Enterprise free flight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| OV-101
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1977-08-12"|[[Engineering:Approach and Landing Tests|ALT Free Flight#1]]<br/>August 12, 1977
|scope"row"| 5 (suborbital)
|scope"row" data-sort-value="1977-10-26"| ALT Free Flight #5<br/>October 26, 1977
|{{draw|Retired.<br/>{{small|Displayed at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.}}}}
|scope"row" align="center"| <ref name=Enterprise>{{cite web|title=Enterprise (OV-101)|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/enterprise.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|}

* ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]'' was first launched on April 12, 1981. On February 1, 2003, ''Columbia'' [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|disintegrated during re-entry]] on its 28th spaceflight.

* ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]'' was first launched on April 4, 1983. On January 28, 1986, it [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|disintegrated]] 73 seconds after launch on its 10th mission.

* ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]'' was first launched on August 30, 1984. It flew 39 missions, and was NASA's "Return to Flight" vehicle, following the accidental destructions of ''Challenger'' and ''Columbia''. ''Discovery'' completed its last mission, [[Engineering:STS-133|STS-133]], in March 2011. It is currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, near Dulles International Airport.

* ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]'' was first launched on October 3, 1985. It flew 33 spaceflights including the final Space Shuttle mission, [[Engineering:STS-135|STS-135]], in July 2011.

* ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' was first launched on May 7, 1992. It flew 25 spaceflights, the final being [[Engineering:STS-134|STS-134]], launched May 16, 2011.

=== Mockups ===
In addition to the test articles and orbiters produced for use in the Shuttle program, there are also various mockup replicas on display throughout the United States:

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="8" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="background:#ffdead;"| Mockups
|-
! style="width:5em;" | Name
! class="unsortable" | Picture
! style="width:5em;" | Replicates
! style="width:15em;"| Location
! style="width:5em;" | Status
|-

|scope"row"| ''Adventure''
|scope"row"| [[File:NASA Adventure-1.JPG|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| Forward Fuselage
|scope"row"| Space Center Houston
|scope"row"| Removed
|-

|scope"row"| ''America''
|scope"row"| [[File:Space Shuttle America.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| Full
|scope"row"| Six Flags Great America
|scope"row"| Removed
|-

|scope"row"| ''Inspiration (California)''
|scope"row"| [[File:Space Shuttle Inspiration (California) forwards fuselage.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| Most Except Left-Wing, Vertical Stabilizer, and Payload Bay Doors
|scope"row"| Columbia Memorial Space Center
|scope"row"| Removed
|-

|scope"row"| ''Independence''
|scope"row"| [[File:Shuttle Independence and NASA 905 at Space Center Houston.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| Full
|scope"row"| Space Center Houston
|scope"row"| On Display
|-

|scope"row"| ''Inspiration (Florida)''
|scope"row"| [[File:Titusville Astronaut HoF Museum shuttle01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
|scope"row"| Full
|scope"row"| [[Organization:Shuttle Landing Facility|Shuttle Landing Facility]]
|scope"row"| On Display
|}

* ''Adventure'', a full-scale replica of an orbiter mid-deck and flight deck, also at Space Center Houston.

* ''America'', a full-scale replica of an orbiter for an attraction of the same name at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois and had authentic thermal tiles used in the shuttle missions. It was disassembled and removed in 2009.

* ''Independence'', formerly ''Explorer'', a full-scale replica of the entire orbiter at the [[Organization:Johnson Space Center|Johnson Space Center]]'s visitor facility, Space Center Houston, in Houston, Texas atop of the Shuttle Carrying Aircraft, NASA 905.

* ''Inspiration (California)'', a nearly full-scale replica of an orbiter (lacking a left-wing, vertical stabilizer, and payload bay doors)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://designyoutrust.com/2016/01/historic-space-shuttle-mockup-stored-in-downey-california/|title=Historic Space Shuttle Mockup Stored in Downey, California}}</ref> displayed in a tent at the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

* ''Inspiration (Florida)'', bearing the same name as the Californian mockup, is a full-scale replica of an orbiter formerly outside the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. It was subsequently sold by NASA to LVX and transported to the [[Organization:Shuttle Landing Facility|Shuttle Landing Facility]] for refurbishment and modifications in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-042916a-space-shuttle-inspiration-slf.html |title=Replica on the runway: Mock orbiter lands on real space shuttle strip|publisher=collectSPACE|first=Robert Z.|last=Pearlman|date=April 29, 2016}}</ref>

* ''Resolution!'', a full-scale replica of an orbiter crew-compartment, originally built to house an amateur flight simulator but later intended for use by Kennedy Space Center firefighters to practice rescue techniques.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/shuttlemockup.html|title=Builder's "Resolution" a Labor of Love|publisher=NASA|date=December 15, 2009}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Now abandoned and nearly destroyed by nature and neglect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americaspace.com/2012/09/18/a-resolution-that-could-not-be-kept/|title=A "Resolution" That Could Not be Kept|date=September 18, 2012}}</ref>

== Flight statistics ==

=== Flight history timeline ===

== See also ==
* [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]] for programme history and description of operations
* [[Engineering:Buran programme|Buran programme]] (USSR's reusable shuttle program)
* [[Engineering:Dream Chaser|Dream Chaser]]
* [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship (spacecraft)|SpaceX Starship (spacecraft)]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/orbiters.html Orbiter Vehicles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209023806/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/orbiters.html |date=February 9, 2021 }}
* Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX:
** {{HAER|survey=TX-116-A|id=tx1107|title=Space Transportation System, Orbiter Discovery (OV-103)|photos=121|dwgs=14|cap=28|link=no}}
** {{HAER|survey=TX-116-B|id=tx1108|title=Space Transportation System, Orbiter Atlantis (OV-104)|photos=24|cap=5|link=no}}
** {{HAER|survey=TX-116-C|id=tx1109|title=Space Transportation System, Orbiter Endeavour (OV-105)|photos=22|cap=5|link=no}}
** {{HAER|survey=TX-116-I|id=tx1115|title=Space Transportation System, Space Shuttle Main Engine|photos=20|dwgs=2|cap=8|link=no}}

{{Space Shuttles}}
{{Space Shuttle}}
{{All U.S. Space Shuttle Missions}}
{{North American Aviation aircraft}}

[[Category:Glider aircraft]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle program|Orbiter]]
[[Category:Crewed spacecraft]]
[[Category:Spaceplanes]]
[[Category:NASA spacecraft]]
[[Category:Reusable spacecraft]]

{{Sourceattribution|Space Shuttle orbiter}}