The mission patch for STS-1, the first Shuttle mission to fly in space. The orbiter receives post-landing servicing following STS-1's successful touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base. (Image number: S-81-33179)Ĭolumbia seen in flight moments before touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base on April 14, 1981. The boosters were collected and used in later missions. The Shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters break away from Columbia's External Tank and fall to Earth about two minutes after liftoff. Young opens a storage container on the mid-deck while Columbia orbits Earth. (Image number: S-81-30420)Ĭrippen takes a meal break on Columbia's mid-deck. While on the mid-deck, Crippen floats effortlessly in the microgravity of space. In this official STS-1 mission photo, astronauts Young and Crippen pose with a model of the orbiter. Young is followed by Crippen as the two men make their way from the Operations and Checkout Building to Pad 39A on April 12, 1981. (Image number: KSC-81PC-0186)Ĭommander Young receives final touches to his suit prior to the final simulated countdown and launch on March 19, 1981. Young and Crippen are suited up for launch at the Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building before the final STS-1 simulated countdown and launch on March 19, 1981. Young and Crippen practice using a slidewire basket system designed to get astronauts away from the pad quickly during an emergency. Bush with a model of the Space Shuttle during the vice president's visit to the Kennedy Space Center. Lovelace, acting administrator of NASA, presents Vice President George H.W. (Image number: S-80-40389)Ī dramatic evening photo of Columbia sitting on the pad at Kennedy Space Center. Young and Crippen during training on Columbia's flight deck. (Image number: KSC-81PC-0370)Ī pre-launch Columbia on the crawler transporter, making its way from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center. ![]() STS-1 soars into space on April 12, 1981. The coating was used for the first two missions into space, but later dropped to save weight. The Shuttle's recognizable, orange external fuel tank is seen here painted white. ![]() The Space Shuttle's engines propel a massive cloud of exhaust hundreds of feet into the air during liftoff. (Image number: S-81-30462)Ĭolumbia roars to life from Pad 39A on April 12, 1981. The roar of the Space Shuttle's engines breaks the calm of the Florida coast during the liftoff of STS-1. The first orbital mission of the Space Transportation System lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center on April 12, 1981. Click on the thumbnails below to access a high-resolution version of the image:
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