Space Shuttle

From SpaceWiki

The Space Shuttle, also known by its full name as the Space Transportation System is a launch system and human-rated (whatever that means) spacecraft which launches vertically from the Kennedy Space Center on occasion when it feels the need to. The vehicle is one of the largest vehicles to move on the planet, and is considered a space station in its own right when in orbit. The vehicle, initially sold as a "Space Truck", has nonetheless captured the minds of millions and enthused generations about spaceflight. However, the system has serious drawbacks, which has caused several failures, such as the Challenger disaster and the Columbia Failure, both of which resulted in the complete loss of crew and vehicle.

The era of the Space Shuttle is quickly coming to an end, and is expected to be completed sometime in 2011.