Space shuttles are reusable spacecraft. They lift off from the launch pad like a rocket and return to Earth by gliding and landing on a runway. They have taken astronauts into space since 1981.

Design:

A shuttle is also known as on orbiter. It is attached to an external fuel tank and two rocket boosters. At launch, the shuttle has three engines and the two rocket boosters provide power. After two minutes, the boosters fall away into the ocean and are collected by ships to be used again. After another six minutes, the fuel tank is empty and this too falls away. It is the only part which is not reusable.

Crew:

The shuttle can carry up to seven crew members. Each mission has a commonder, pilot, mission specialists and payload specialists. Mission specialists conduct experiments and conduct spacewalks. Payload specialists are people who are skilled at using the payload or cargo that is carried on the shuttle.

Uses:

The shuttle can orbit Earth for up to 14 days. The shuttle also takes astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The shuttle docks with the station and astronauts use both areas to live and work. Shuttle astronauts carry out experiments on plants or crystals, test equipment and monitor the effects of living in space on the human body.