Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle
	Space shuttle program insignia
Manufacturer	United Space Alliance ; Thiokol/Alliant Techsystems (SRBs) ; Lockheed Martin/Martin Marietta (ET) ; Boeing/Rockwell (orbiter)
Country of origin	United States
Specifications
Spacecraft type	Crewed orbital launch and reentry
Payload capacity	27,500 kilograms (60,600 pounds)
Crew capacity	8
Production
Status	Retired
Built	5
Retired	3
Lost	2
First launch	12 April 1981, 12:00:03 UTC
Last launch	8 July 2011 15:29:00 UTC
← Apollo program	Orion program →

The Space Shuttle was a spacecraft which was used by the American National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. Space Shuttles were used to carry astronauts and cargo into space. Cargo such as satellites, parts of a space station or scientific instruments were taken up into space by the space shuttle. It was a new kind of spacecraft because it could be used many times.