47+ Space Shuttle Pictures. Nasa's space shuttle fleet began setting records with its first launch on april 12, 1981 and continued to set high marks of achievement and endurance through 30 years of missions. At launch, it consisted of three main assemblies:
Nasa's space shuttle, officially called the space transportation system (sts), was the united states government's manned launch vehicle from 1981 to 2011.
Criticizing the space shuttle is like punching america in the face. It was designed to carry large payloads — such as satellites. Unlike the much smaller capsules of the apollo era. The program was launched shortly.