Space Transportation System

The Space Transportation System (STS), commonly known as the Space Shuttle program, was a NASA initiative designed to send astronauts and cargo into space. Active from 1981 to 2011, it featured reusable spacecraft that could launch like a rocket, carry out missions in orbit, and return safely to Earth. The shuttle consisted of a large orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and an external fuel tank. STS conducted 135 missions, contributing significantly to the International Space Station (ISS) construction and satellite deployment, making it a pivotal program in advancing human space exploration and scientific research in space.