The Space Shuttle program in the United States began to be conceived as early as 1968. The aim was to send manned shuttles into space for research and explorative purposes, but the Space Shuttle program differed from previous space explorations in a major way. Instead of creating vehicles that were destroyed upon re-entry, NASA sought to create vehicles that were reusable. Unlike earlier spacecraft, the shuttles could land much like airplanes. As their technology improved, the first shuttle, the Columbia, was launched in 1981. This shuttle was sent on twenty-seven voyages before it was fatally destroyed on a return trip, resulting in the death of the entire crew.
Similarly, the second shuttle, the Challenger, completed nine flights before a fatal explosion. While this was certainly daunting, not to mention traumatic, for the staff at NASA, they were not to be discouraged. Three years later, with better safety procedures and updated technology in place, the Discovery was unveiled. It went on to fly thirty-nine missions in its lifetime and was finally retired successfully. The Endeavour and Atlantis rounded up the fleet, and also enjoyed a number of successful voyages before retirement.
Three years later, with better safety procedures and updated technology in place, the Discovery was unveiled.