NASA's Space Shuttle (orbiter)

NASA's Space Shuttle orbiter is a reusable spacecraft designed to transport astronauts and cargo to space and return safely to Earth. It combines elements of an airplane and a rocket, with wings for glide re-entry and engines for launch. During ascent, it sits atop fuel tanks and boosters, then separates in orbit to perform missions like satellite deployment or International Space Station support. Afterward, it re-enters Earth's atmosphere, gliding back to land on a runway. The shuttle's ability to be used multiple times revolutionized space exploration, making it a key vehicle for research, construction, and scientific experiments in low Earth orbit.