Challenger Space Shuttle Flown Covers

The space shuttle program was a remarkable achievement in human exploration, with a total of 135 missions flown between 1981 and 2011. During this time, the shuttles carried astronauts to orbit, deployed satellites and other payloads, and even docked at Russia's Mir space station and the International Space Station. Unfortunately, two of these missions ended in tragedy, claiming the lives of 14 astronauts.

One of the most famous shuttle crews was STS-51-L, which included Commander Francis 'Dick' Scobee, pilot Mike Smith, mission specialists Judy Resnik, Ellison Onizuka, and Ron McNair, and payload specialists Greg Jarvis and Christa McAuliffe. This crew was tragically lost in the Challenger space shuttle accident on January 28, 1986.

Another notable crew was STS-107, which included Commander Rick Husband, pilot William McCool, mission specialists Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel Clark, and payload specialist Ilan Ramon. This crew was lost in the Columbia space shuttle accident on February 1, 2003.

Despite these tragic events, the space shuttle program was incredibly successful. NASA shuttles carried a total of 833 crew members on 135 missions, with some individuals flying multiple times. In fact, the shuttles deployed a total of 80 satellites and other payloads, including components for the International Space Station.

The space shuttle program also played a key role in the construction of the International Space Station, with astronauts spending a total of 34 days at the orbiting laboratory between 1998 and 2011. The shuttles docked at the ISS on 7 occasions during this time.

In addition to its scientific and technological achievements, the space shuttle program also played an important role in promoting international cooperation. Astronauts from 16 different countries flew on NASA shuttles, including Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon.

Overall, the space shuttle program was a remarkable achievement that pushed the boundaries of human exploration and discovery. Although it came to an end in 2011, its legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

Challenger space shuttle flown covers