The Stars My Destination: Space Shuttle 1976-1982

The Space Age: The 45th-40th Anniversaries of the Space Shuttle Program
In April 1972, John Young reacted positively to the news that Congress had funded development of the Space Shuttle, from the Moon during Apollo 16: "The country needs that Space Shuttle real bad." Nine years later, April 1981, Young commanded the inaugural flight of the Space Shuttle, Space Transportation System-1 (S.T.S.-1). The Space Shuttle was originally scheduled to fly in 1979, & S.T.S.-2 was originally planned to boost Skylab into a highrer orbit. However, developmental delays, with the reuseable Space Shuttle Main Engines but especially with the ceramic tile-based Thermal Protection System, meant the Shuttle did not fly until 1981. Skylab burned up during an uncontrolled atmospheric reentry in 1979.

The first four Space Shuttle flights, both in 1981 & the first two of 1982, featured two-man crews equipped with pressure suits & ejection seats. S.T.S.-1 & S.T.S.-2 stand out visually, because the disposable External Tank was painted white, matching the Orbiter & the Solid Rocket Boosters. From S.T.S.-3, the Space Shuttle adopted its standard appearance, with the burnt orange External Tank, saving some six hundred pounds in paint weight. After the successful completion of S.T.S.-4, the Shuttle was declared "operational." S.T.S.-5 featured a record-setting crew of four, who all flew in non-pressurized flight suits.

The Wayback Machine Tour of the Space Shuttle 1976-1982
1976
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXLI: The 45th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Enterprise
1977
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCVIII: The 44th Anniversary of the Approach & Landing Tests
1979
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXX: The 43rd Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia
1981
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-1
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXLIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-2
1982
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXIII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-3, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXIV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-3, Part II
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXXIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-4, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXC: The 40th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXCI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-4, Part II
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-5, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXVI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-5, Part II

Ad astra per aspera.