Shuttle Liftoff: Powering America’s Space Age

The Space Shuttle was NASA’s first reusable spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts and cargo into orbit and return safely to Earth. This dramatic liftoff image captures the sheer power of its launch, as the orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket boosters worked in unison to break free of Earth’s gravity. The Shuttle represented a new era in spaceflight — one where missions could be flown more frequently, satellites could be deployed and repaired, and the construction of the International Space Station became possible. For many, the fiery ascent of the Shuttle was the symbol of American space exploration in the late 20th century.