We’ve now come to the end of the Space Shuttle … Era? … Generation? … Interlude? … Epoch?  Well, anyway, we’re at the end of the program.  The final mission, STS-135, landed safely July 21, 2011.  Many of us are saddened to see the end of the program; some fearing it to be the harbinger of the end of manned space exploration.

First rattle out of the box - Columbia on the launch pad NASA image, STS-1

The Space Shuttle Program encompassed 30 years (1981 – 2011) of testing and low-orbit missions.  Conception and design of the orbiter began in the 70s, but NASA was working on the concept by at least 1958, before the Apollo Program.  The first orbiter, Enterprise, was never meant to fly in space.  It was used for gliding and landing tests, and flew three missions (in 1977).  The first true spacecraft was Columbia, and her maiden flight was April 12, 1981.

NASA image - Space Shuttle vs Soyuz TM, to scale

The shuttles usually ended each mission by landing at Kennedy Space Center.  Although there were many locations world-wide large enough for the shuttle, if it wasn’t landed at Kennedy a special Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (also known as a “big honking airplane”) would have to piggy-back the shuttle back to the Space Center.

NASA - Orbiter mount on SCA... just in case those technicians forget

Two shuttles, Challenger and Columbia, were lost – taking 14 lives – during the program’s 30-year history.

NASA - Atlantis docked to Mir Space Station

NASA was left with three space-worthy shuttles at the end of the program.  Like the thoroughbreds they are, the shuttles will be honorably retired.  Twenty museums requested the honor of displaying one of the crafts.  Each museum selected will be responsible for the estimated $28.8 million cost of preparing the shuttles for display.

Atlantis will go to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex, near Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Discovery is to be displayed at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, near Washington D.C.

Endeavour will go to the California Science Center, Los Angeles, California.

Enterprise ( the shuttle never flown in space), currently at the Smithsonian, will be moved to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City.

Here’s a link that shows you the flight deck of the decommissioned Discovery.  Rob found this and sent it to me.

NASA - Space Shuttle Program Commemorative Patch

NOTE:  Be sure to click on the first image.  I got a great enlargement of that one.