Space Shuttle (Space Transportation System, STS)

A partially-reusable low-Earth-orbit spaceplane. Crewed by 7. Operated from 1981-2011 by NASA, launched from KSC and initially landed at Edwards AFB, then landings were moved to the runway at KSC.

Four components:

• The Orbiter
• The External Tank
• 2 Solid Rocket Boosters

There were a total of six named Shuttles.

• Enterprise (landing body only; named for the starship of a classic TV show)
• Columbia (destroyed during re-entry, 2003)
• Challenger (destroyed during ascent, 1986)
• Discovery (retired 2011)
• Atlantis (retired 2011)
• Endeavor (retired 2011)