What is a space shuttle?

A new type of space vehicle, the space shuttle, was launched in 1981. It is the first re-usable spacecraft. It was developed to provide a re-usable, and therefore cheaper, vehicle for launching satellites and for work in space.

The shuttle's main difference from the conventional rocket is that it is a reusable system. It uses rocket technology to launch into space, but then returns to Earth like a glider plane. Two of its three main parts can be reused many times. The three main parts of the shuttle are the orbiter, the fuel tank, and the two booster rockets. The crew and cargo fly inside the orbiter, the space plane. This is the part of the shuttle that is launched into space. It acts as a workshop for the astronauts while in space, and then brings them safely home.

There are four different orbiters, Columbia Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. Only one orbiter is in space at any given time. They are used as space laboratories where astronauts and scientists carry out experiments and test equipment. They are also used for launching, retrieving and repairing satellites, launching space probes, and for building the International Space Station (ISS).