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STS-1: Launch of America's first space shuttle mission This retrospective captures the first space shuttle flight from Columbia's delivery to Kennedy Space Center in 1979, assembly and rollout to the launch pad, its safe ascent to orbit in 1981 and return to Earth two days later. The following video clips are available to Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers. Find out how to get your subscription.
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INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE ADVERTISE © 2008 Pole Star Publications Ltd |
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Shuttle Columbia is delivered to Kennedy Space Center on March 24, 1979 atop a modified 747 carrier aircraft from its manufacturing plant in California. (1min 16sec file)
The segments making up the twin solid rocket boosters to launch Columbia on STS-1 are put together atop the mobile launching platform inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. (2min 10sec file)
The external fuel tank is hoisted into position between the two solid rocket boosters during pre-launch assembly inside the VAB. (2min 37sec file)
Columbia is towed from its Orbiter Processing Facility hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building for attachment to its fuel tank and boosters. (1min 27sec file)
After arriving inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, a crane lifts Columbia vertically and maneuvers the orbiter into position for mating with the external tank and booster rockets. (5min 09sec file)
Space shuttle Columbia emerges from the Vehicle Assembly Building on December 29, 1980 for the slow trip to launch pad 39A. (4min 50sec file)
Columbia completes the 3.5-mile journey to the launch pad 39A aboard the Apollo-era crawler-transporter. (3min 04sec file)
Columbia's three liquid-fueled main engines are ignited for 20 seconds during this critical Flight Readiness Firing test on February 20, 1981. (56sec file)
The two astronauts enjoy their pre-launch breakfast at the Kennedy Space Center crew quarters in the final hours of the countdown. (42sec file)
The crew members don their altitude protection suits worn during the launch and landing phases on their space mission. (38sec file)
Young and Crippen depart their quarters and board the AstroVan for the ride to launch pad 39A. (38sec file)
In the White Room at launch pad 39A, the astronauts climb through shuttle Columbia's hatchway to board the orbiter. (1min 06sec file)
America's first space shuttle mission launches from Kennedy Space Center on April 12, 1981 with commander John Young and pilot Bob Crippen aboard the orbiter Columbia for STS-1. (2min 40sec file)
The spent solid rocket boosters are plucked from the Atlantic Ocean and returned to shore for refurbishment and later reuse on another launch. (53sec file)
The astronauts describe life in space during their two-day mission aboard Columbia. (38sec file)
The crew narrates some Earth observation photography taken during the STS-1 mission. (41sec file)
Columbia's payload bay doors are swung closed in preparation for the deorbit burn and return to Earth on April 14. (22sec file)
After two days in orbit and 1.1 million miles traveled, Columbia lands on the dry lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on April 14. Landing video includes dramatic footage from chase aircraft. (3min 36sec file)
Aerial views show Columbia on the runway following its successful landing to conclude the first space shuttle mission. (39sec file)
Young and Crippen triumphantly exit Columbia and receive greetings from officials at the runway. (35sec file)
Columbia is ferried back to Kennedy Space Center to undergo refurbishment for the STS-2 mission that would launch in November 1981. (34sec file)
Columbia is removed from atop its carrier jet and towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility. (1min 02sec file)