STS-1 (Space Transportation System-1) was the first orbital spaceflight of NASA's Space Shuttle program. The first orbiter, Columbia, launched on April 12, 1981, [1] and returned on April 14, 1981, 54.5 hours later, having orbited the Earth 37 times. Columbia carried a crew of two—commander John W. Young and pilot Robert L. Crippen.

Jul 7, 2023 · Demonstrate safe launch into orbit and safe return of the orbiter and crew. Verify the combined performance of the entire shuttle vehicle – orbiter, solid rocket boosters and external tank.

The first mission of the space transport system (STS-1) or Space Shuttle, flew on April 12, 1981, ending a long hiatus in American space flight. The last Apollo lunar mission flew in December 1972, and the joint American Russian Apollo-Soyuz Earth orbital mission closed in July 1975.

On 12 April 1981, the Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia lifted off from its pad at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on the STS-1 mission. The orbiter is only one part of the Space Transportation System (STS), more commonly known simply as the Space Shuttle.

STS-1 Fact Sheet. By Cliff Lethbridge. STS-1 — Columbia. 1st Space Shuttle Mission. 1st Flight of Columbia. Crew: John W. Young, Commander. Robert L. Crippen, Pilot. Backup Crew: Joseph H. Engle, Commander. Richard H. Truly, Pilot. Orbiter Preparations: Tow to Orbiter Processing Facility – March 25, 1979. Rollover to Vehicle Assembly ...

Mar 26, 2020 · STS-1 was the first test-flight of what was, at the time, the most complex spacecraft ever built. Numerous anomalies were observed during and after the flight, owing to the many components and systems that could not otherwise be adequately tested.

Documentary about STS-1, the first Space Shuttle mission. Origins of the Space Transportation System are shown, as well as the Shuttle Columbia being built a...

Dec 31, 2014 · The item "STS-001.zip" contains air-to-ground of the entire mission, and was archived from the original 56 track recorders. Digitized, cataloged and archived by the Houston Audio Control Room, at the NASA Johnson Space Center.

First flight of Space Transportation System (aka Space Shuttle).. Payloads: Development Flight Instrumentation and Aerodynamic Coefficient Identification Package. Orbits of Earth: 36. …

STS-1 was the first manned orbital test flight of the Space Transportation System with astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen on board to verify the combined performance of the Space Shuttle vehicle. Mission duration was 54 hours 20 minutes 53 seconds.