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[[Image:KSC-95EC-0911.jpg|right|thumb|Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-71.|250px]]

[[Image:KSC-95EC-0911.jpg|right|thumb|Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-71.|250px]]

The '''Space Shuttle''', officially the '''Space Transportation System''' ('''STS''') is an [[United States|American]]-built space travel vehicle, designed to be capable of multiple flights. The shuttle was developed by the [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA). Missions on the shuttle last for up to two weeks, and carry five to seven astronauts. The shuttle is the first space vehicle designed to be reusable.<ref>[http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle.htm How The Space Shuttle Works]</ref>

The '''Space Shuttle''', officially the '''Space Transportation System''' ('''STS''') was an [[United States|American]] space travel vehicle, designed to be capable of multiple flights. The shuttle was developed by the [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA). Missions on the shuttle last for up to two weeks, and carry five to seven astronauts. The shuttle is the first space vehicle designed to be reusable.<ref>[http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle.htm How The Space Shuttle Works]</ref>

The Space Shuttle system consists of three components,  

The Space Shuttle system consists of three components,  

*Two reuseable solid rocket boosters which (and will provide the main launch vehicles under the new Ares Launch program that follows the shuttle) provide nearly 80% of the thrust at takeoff

*Two reuseable solid rocket boosters which (and will provide the main launch vehicles under the new Ares Launch program that follows the shuttle) provide nearly 80% of the thrust at takeoff

NASA intends to close out the service life of the space shuttle program by completing work on the [[International Space Station]] by 2010, then switch over to the Orion class crew transport vehicle, using tried-and-true space capsule concepts from the 1960s which are designed to emphasize crew safety.

NASA intends to close out the service life of the space shuttle program by completing work on the [[International Space Station]] by 2010, then switch over to the Orion class crew transport vehicle, using tried-and-true space capsule concepts from the 1960s which are designed to emphasize crew safety.

The [[Soviet Union]] worked on a space shuttle project as well known as the Buran program. The Buran program was canceled due to lack of funding and the declining political situation. The Buran shuttle was launched into orbit in an unmanned test flight that succeeded however it did not fly again. The shuttle was destroyed in 2002, when its hangar collapsed.

The [[Soviet Union]] worked on a space shuttle project as well known as the Buran program. The Buran program was canceled due to lack of funding and the declining political situation. The Buran shuttle was launched into orbit in an unmanned test flight that succeeded however it did not fly again. One Buran orbiter was destroyed in 2002, when its hangar collapsed.

==American Space Shuttle Program==

==American Space Shuttle Program==