![]() ![]() The vertical stabilizer of the orbiter had a leading edge that was swept back at a 45-degree angle. The orbiters themselves did carry hypergolic propellants for their Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters and Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) engines.Ībout the size of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, the Space Shuttle orbiter resembled an airplane in its design, with a standard-looking fuselage and two double delta wings, both swept wings at an angle of 81 degrees at their inner leading edges and 45 degrees at their outer leading edges. Additionally, two reusable solid rocket boosters (SRBs) provided additional thrust for approximately the first two minutes of launch. In addition to their crews and payloads, the reusable orbiter carried most of the Space Shuttle System's liquid-propellant rocket system, but both the liquid hydrogen fuel and the liquid oxygen oxidizer for its three main rocket engines were fed from an external cryogenic propellant tank. Atlantis completed the final Shuttle flight, STS-135, on July 21, 2011. Discovery completed its final flight on March 9, 2011, and Endeavour completed its final flight on June 1, 2011. ![]() In 2003, Columbia was destroyed during re-entry, leaving just three remaining orbiters. Endeavour was built as Challenger 's successor, and was first launched in 1992. In 1986, Challenger was destroyed in an accident shortly after its 10th launch. Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis followed in 1983, 1984, and 1985 respectively. The remaining orbiters were fully operational spacecraft, and were launched vertically as part of the Space Shuttle stack.Ĭolumbia was the first space-worthy orbiter it made its inaugural flight in 1981. Enterprise was partially disassembled and retired after completion of critical testing. An unpowered glider, it was carried by a modified Boeing 747 airliner called the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and released for a series of atmospheric test flights and landings. The first orbiter, Enterprise, made its maiden flight in 1977. ![]() All were built in Palmdale, California, by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Rockwell International company. Six orbiters were built for flight: Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. space agency, this vehicle could carry astronauts and payloads into low Earth orbit, perform in-space operations, then re-enter the atmosphere and land as a glider, returning its crew and any on-board payload to the Earth. Operated from 1977 to 2011 by NASA, the U.S. The Space Shuttle orbiter is the spaceplane component of the Space Shuttle, a partially reusable orbital spacecraft system that was part of the discontinued Space Shuttle program. x 122 ft., 161325lb.Discovery approaches the International Space Station (ISS) on STS-121 McDonnell Space Hangar Credit Line Transferred from National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Inventory Number A20120325000 Type SPACECRAFT-Crewed Restrictions & Rights CC0 Materials Airframe: aluminum alloys, titanium Surface: silica tiles, reinforced carbon carbon RCC nose cap and wing leading edges Interior: many materials (aluminum, fabric, beta cloth, velcro, etc.) Dimensions Overall: 24.314m x 17.768m x 38.03m, 73176.5kg (78 ft. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA Hangar James S. ![]() Manufacturer Rockwell International Corporation Country of Origin United States of America See more items in National Air and Space Museum Collection Location Steven F. From 1984 to 2012, Discovery flew 39 Earth-orbital missions, spent a total of 365 days in space, and traveled almost 240 million km (150 million mi) -more than the other orbiters. Alternate Name Space Shuttle Discovery Key Accomplishment(s) Champion of the Shuttle Fleet Brief Description Discovery was the third Space Shuttle orbiter to fly in space. NASA transferred Discovery to the Smithsonian in April 2012 after a delivery flight over the nation's capital. Named for renowned sailing ships of exploration, Discovery is preserved as intact as possible as it last flew in 2011 on the 133rd Space Shuttle mission. Because Discovery flew every kind of mission the Space Shuttle was meant to fly, it embodies well the 30-year history of U.S. It shuttled 184 men and women into space and back, many of whom flew more than once, for a record-setting total crew count of 251. Discovery flew on 39 Earth-orbital missions, spent a total of 365 days in space, and traveled almost 240 million kilometers (150 million miles)-more than the other orbiters. It entered service in 1984 and retired from spaceflight as the oldest and most accomplished orbiter, the champion of the shuttle fleet. Object Details Summary Discovery was the third Space Shuttle orbiter vehicle to fly in space. ![]()
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