Evolution of the Space Shuttle

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    The Space Race

    Started by the Russians with Sputnik 1, it was finished by Neil Armstrong when he stepped onto the moon.
  • NASA takes over NACA

    NASA takes over NACA
    National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, was replaced by NASA. NASA also inheirited NACA's plans for spaceflight.
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    Phase A

    Basic plans were made during Phase A
  • Reusable Spacecraft announced

    Reusable Spacecraft announced
    George Mueller, head of space flight at NASA, announced in London that he had been working on a reusable spacecraft for two years.
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    Phase B

    More detailed plans were made, withs plans that included costs, wieght, and technology used
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    Phase C/D

    even more detailed designs and starting of manufacturing
  • The first Shuttle finished

    The first Shuttle finished
    Enterprise was the first space shuttle made. Origanally named the Constitution, the public asked for it to be changed to the Enterprise after the Star Trek TV show.
  • Columbia arrives at Kennedy Space Center

    Columbia arrives at Kennedy Space Center
    With problems from the thermal protection bits, the Columbia sits at the Kennedy space center for two years while new adhesives are tested.
  • The first Shuttle launch

    The first Shuttle launch
    The Columbia was the first reuseable spacecraft launched
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    Space Shuttle Program

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    Phase 1

    Phase 1 was spent on building Spacelab a Europian space staion, and releasing commerical satilites from the payload.
  • Columbia lands safely at Edwards Air Force Base

    Columbia lands safely at Edwards Air Force Base
  • Challenger accident

    Challenger accident
    Challenger explodes shortly after lift of,
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    Phase 2

    only goverment satillites are launched with the shuttle.
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    Phase 3

    Phase 3 was mostly building the ISS, International Space Station.
  • Columbia accident

    Columbia accident
    Columbia burns up during reentry
  • The End of the Space Shuttle Program

    The End of the Space Shuttle Program
    The final mission, made by Atlantis, was the final Space Shuttle launched.