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 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 | ||
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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.