Space Shuttle Columbia

Space Shuttle Columbia

Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It remains the only Space Shuttle, aside from Challenger, to not visit the International Space Station. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before disintegrating during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. The destruction of the orbiter killed all those on board.

Read more about Space Shuttle ColumbiaHistory, Prototype Orbiter, Flights, Final Mission and Destruction, Tribute, In Popular Culture

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