THE HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT BLOG: From the Space Shuttle to Beyond

NASA / Bill Ingalls

SHUTTLE FIRSTS... Two members known as Alpha Control and dsky posted these interesting bits of info on the NASASpaceFlight message board regarding the shuttle and how it stands out above all other current human spaceflight programs. This list includes aspects that we should celebrate for happening and not happening in regards to the Space Transportation System:

SHUTTLE AMAZING FIRSTS:

- The world's first spacecraft that returns from orbit with wings and wheels, and lands on a runway.
- First spacecraft in history to be launched into space more than one time (Columbia).
- First shirt-sleeve, 14-lbs. PSI (per square inch) sea-level cabin atmosphere in space.
- First general-purpose spacecraft.
- First recurring use of a fleet of production space vehicles.
- First large-capacity windows in a spacecraft, and the most total windows on a spacecraft (11).

SHUTTLE FIRSTS THAT WE CELEBRATE FOR NOT HAPPENING:

- No RTLS (Return To Launch Site) abort ever.
- No TAL (Transoceanic Abort Landing) abort ever.
- No inflight SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) failure ever.
- No OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System) engine failure ever.
- No contingency EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) to manually close the payload bay doors ever.
- No ECAL (East Coast Abort Landings) / Contingency abort ever.
- No Ku-band antenna jettison ever required.
- No RMS (Remote Manipulator System...a.k.a. the shuttle's robotic arm) jettison ever required.

SHUTTLE TRIUMPHS TO CELEBRATE IN THE YEARS AHEAD:

- The astounding versatility of the shuttle - satellite launcher, orbiting science laboratory, planetary probe dispatcher, telescope repairman, and space station assembly truck.
- Opening up spaceflight to a broader range of people beyond just test pilots.
- The amazing dedication and focus of the NASA employees and contractor personnel who maintained and operated the fleet with superb professionalism, to the very last day.