Shuttle Columbia was the first shuttle to fly, and flew the first five shuttle missions.
Shuttle Columbia was the first shuttle used to deploy a commercial satellite.
Shuttle Columbia Specifications
Primary Function:Orbiter Vehicle (OV-102) — lost February 1, 2003 on re-entry
Contractor:Various; Rockwell International’s Space Transportation Systems Division
Crew:Up to eight
Unit Cost:N/A
Powerplant
Three main engines running on liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen propellant, rated at 512,950 lb thrust each; two solid, reusable rocket boosters rated at 3,300,000 lb each at launch, running on aluminum powder, iron oxide, and ammonium perchlorate powder.
Dimensions
Length:121 ft
Wingspan:78 ft
Height:57 ft
Weights
Empty:158,289 lb (71,799 kg)
With main engines:178,000 lb (80,740 kg)
Performance
Speed:17,500 mph — typical orbit
Ceiling:N/A
Range:N/A
Armament
N/A
Shuttle Columbia Achievements
Shuttle Columbia was the first shuttle to fly, and flew the first five shuttle missions.
Shuttle Columbia was the first shuttle used to deploy a commercial satellite.[tubepress mode=’tag’, tagValue=’Shuttle Columbia’]