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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''') 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 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
==Tragedies==
==Tragedies==
Sadly twice space shuttles have been destroyed, killing all of the crew. Challenger rapidly disintegrated due to extreme aerodynamic forces on ascent, and Columbia disintegrated due to broken thermal tiles on descent.
Sadly two space shuttles have been destroyed, killing all of the crew. ''Challenger'' was destroyed on ascent January 28, 1986 due to O-ring failure on one of the external main boosters, and ''Columbia'' disintegrated during re-entry on February 1, 2003, as a result of thermal tile loss to one of its wings.
== References ==
== References ==