NASA1994
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After years and years of constant preparation, NASA has announced its first Space Shuttle Mission: STS-1A! Space Shuttle Columbia, the first in a planned fleet of spacecraft in the nation's Space Transportation System, will liftoff on its first orbital test flight on 12 April 1978. The crew will consist of a CDR and PLT, both veterans of previous NASA space programs.
Columbia will have no payloads in the payload bay on this first orbital flight, but will carry instrumentation for measuring orbiter systems performance.
Extensive testing of orbiter systems, including the space radiators and other heat rejection systems will take place during this shakedown mission. Columbia's two orbital maneuvering system hypergolic engines will fire approximately 53 1/2 hours into the flight over the Indian ocean to bring the spacecraft to a landing at the Kennedy Space Center's new Runway 33, which will serve as the primary landing site for the shuttle during the years to come. "A lot is riding on this as the future of this nation's newest space program rests in this mission" said the NASA Administrator. "But I am confident that the extreme dedication that thousands all over the country have displayed in getting this spacecraft up and running will be reflected on the work of our two astronauts during their two-day flight. God Speed to both of them!"
Columbia will have no payloads in the payload bay on this first orbital flight, but will carry instrumentation for measuring orbiter systems performance.
Extensive testing of orbiter systems, including the space radiators and other heat rejection systems will take place during this shakedown mission. Columbia's two orbital maneuvering system hypergolic engines will fire approximately 53 1/2 hours into the flight over the Indian ocean to bring the spacecraft to a landing at the Kennedy Space Center's new Runway 33, which will serve as the primary landing site for the shuttle during the years to come. "A lot is riding on this as the future of this nation's newest space program rests in this mission" said the NASA Administrator. "But I am confident that the extreme dedication that thousands all over the country have displayed in getting this spacecraft up and running will be reflected on the work of our two astronauts during their two-day flight. God Speed to both of them!"
