April 14, 2006 Vol. 45, No. 8 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html STS-1: The boldest test flight in history The world proudly watched as NASA resumed human space flight on April 12, 1981 By Jim Kennedy Center Director ix years passed from the end of NASA’s human Sspace flight program Apollo to the roar of Space Shuttle Columbia on its April 12, 1981, maiden flight from KSC’s the nation’s Vision for Space Launch Pad 39A carrying Exploration to extend human astronauts John Young and Bob presence across the solar system, Crippen on a two-day Earth- starting with a return to the moon orbital mission. by the end of the next decade, Twenty-five years ago this the agency is pursuing that month, the world watched as the vision by building on the best of two brave astronauts completed Apollo and shuttle technology. the monumental first test of the As a young engineer at the SPACE SHUTTLE Columbia lifts off shortly after 7 a.m. on April 12, 1981. Space Transportation System by Marshall Space Flight Center in with Young and Crippen and from shuttle technology. landing at Edwards Air Force Alabama, I was privileged to be a their look back on “the ultimate As we prepare for the next Base in California. That success- part of the team responsible for test flight,” as described by space shuttle launch in July, the ful mission verified the com- the design and development of Crippen. work you are performing to bined performance of the orbiter, the solid rocket boosters and will You will also learn about how safely fly Discovery is as critical solid rocket boosters and always remember, with much the shuttle’s technology has as during the time NASA pre- external tank. pride, watching the magnificent evolved, the modifications to pared for STS-1. As NASA pushes ahead with technology perform beautifully. existing facilities to meet the Thanks for all of your The Kennedy Space Center needs of the space shuttle contributions as we continue the work force enjoyed the unique program, the diversity of the amazing journey of space flight opportunity to relive that historic space shuttle crews and spinoffs together as a team. mission when Young and Crippen recently returned to our STS-1 PILOT Bob Crippen center and spoke about the (left) and thrilling challenges of the first Commander shuttle flight. Their enthusiasm John Young for America’s space program is PHOTO FROM YOUNG/CRIPPEN returned to as strong as it was the day they VISIT ON THURSDAY KSC on April learned they would be aboard 6-7 to that first mission. celebrate the Today, more than 2,000 25th employees who worked at anniversary of the first Kennedy Space Center during space shuttle STS-1 still work here. flight. This issue provides details on NASA’s first shuttle mission and Kennedy Space Center the evolution of human space Director Jim Kennedy flight, including an interview apr14.pmd 1 4/11/2006, 2:58 PM Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS April 14, 2006 Space shuttle history boasts mission success By Kay Grinter Reference Librarian hereAwards does the history of the Space Shuttle WProgram begin? In 1969, President Richard Nixon’s appointed Space Task Group proposed that, after Apollo, the nation should pursue a broad- based space exploration program to include a space station, a lunar base, Mars exploration and a space shuttle. Practical applica- tions and international coopera- tion in space were essential to the plan. The group envisioned a reusable space system to provide low cost per pound to orbit. A reusable space shuttle offered major advantages over conven- tional rocket systems. Spacecraft built to fly aboard a shuttle vehicle could be designed with more emphasis on their mission ORBITER COLUMBIA – riding piggyback atop a modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft – returns to Kennedy Space capabilities, and less emphasis Center April 21, 1981, after a two-day journey from the Dryden Flight Research Center in California. Columbia touched on their ability to withstand the down on the Shuttle Landing Facility two weeks after its return to Earth from the first space shuttle flight. rigors of existing rocket launches. “Star Trek.” Intended for use of space flight. On a standard a permanently based, manned And so, NASA marched ahead only as a test article, the vehicle mission, the vehicle carries up to space station in the mid-1980s. with the Space Shuttle Program. rolled out of Rockwell’s assem- seven crew members. The first At President Bill Clinton’s Enterprise, the first orbiter off bly facility in Palmdale, Calif., two space shuttle missions, direction in 1993, the concept the assembly line, was named on Sept. 17, 1976. STS-1 and STS-2, only carried a was scaled back, made less after the starship in the popular From February through two-person crew. costly, and transformed into the science-fiction television show October 1977, Enterprise was Between 1981 and 1991, four International Space Station in used in the Approach more orbiters were built: Chal- progress today. The shuttle has and Landing Test lenger, Discovery, Atlantis and played an integral role in its program based at Endeavour. They carried experi- assembly in space. NASA’s Dryden ments into space and launched Through 2005, the Space Flight Research important science instruments Shuttle Program accomplished Center. The tests such as the Magellan Venus 112 successful missions and successfully demon- probe, the Hubble Space Tele- carried more than 614 payloads strated the orbiter scope and the Chandra X-ray into orbit. The program has also could fly in the Observatory. flown 433 crew members, 69 of atmosphere like a NASA received approval to whom took spacewalks totaling spacecraft but land proceed with the development of 491 hours. on a runway like a glider. NASA Three and a half ASTRONAUT John years later, on April Herrington, 12, 1981, the first STS-113 launch of an opera- mission tional space shuttle, specialist, Columbia from participates in NASA’s Kennedy one of the 151 Space Center Launch spacewalks Complex 39, ushered during the in the new era. shuttle program. The shuttle SPACE SHUTTLE Enterprise was rolled out to the launch site on May 1, 1980, to make certain shuttle concept represented elements were compatible with the Spaceport’s an entirely new way launch facilities. apr14.pmd 2 4/11/2006, 2:59 PM April 14, 2006 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Young, Crippen recall thrills of first shuttle flight By Charlie Plain or correcting environmental Staff Writer issues. “Over the long haul, it’ll save civilization.” hen Space Shuttle While Columbia featured the Columbia’s roaring latest in rocket technology, Wengines launched spending a couple of days within STS-1 from Kennedy Space the sparsely outfitted crew cabin Center on April 12, 1981, the did require the pair to “rough it.” enormous jolt at liftoff told “Living inside the shuttle at Commander John Young and the time was a little like camping Pilot Robert Crippen they were out,” said Crippen. Turning in for about to take an adventurous ride the night meant sleeping in the into a new frontier. cockpit seats, but NASA’s latest “There was no doubt you ship was equipped with a notably were headed someplace,” said improved creature comfort. “The Crippen. “It was a nice kick in food system had come a long the pants.” way since back in the Mercury/ NASA’s new versatile and Gemini days, and we had good reusable rocket-glider was a food to eat.” dramatic departure from the Still, certain aspects of the slender Saturn V boosters of the STS-1 COMMANDER John Young (right) and Pilot Bob Crippen work in the flight were probably a little more previous generation. Powered by cockpit of space shuttle Columbia before its maiden flight. back to basics than Young and multiple engine systems and during Apollo 16, and piloting good time taking it around,” said Crippen would have preferred. completely computer controlled, three types of spacecraft, Young Young. “I just thought it was a “The potty — or the waste Columbia demanded a crew with had the seasoned skill and steely great machine.” management facility — went exceptional experience and confidence to bridle Columbia In the few spare moments the belly up on the second day,” expertise. on its maiden flight. “If you want astronauts weren’t busy, Young chuckled Crippen. “But John and NASA’s decision to put to go into space for the first time and Crippen delighted in the I dealt with it.” Young in the commander’s seat on a new vehicle that’s never unique freedom and spectacular Ultimately, STS-1 was a bold for the mission was an easy one. been flown, you want to go with views that flying in orbit offers. test flight to determine if a rocket Already a veteran of four a pro, and John certainly is a “The real pleasure was having a launch into space could be a missions, including a moon walk pro,” said Crippen. chance to enjoy being weightless round-trip ticket. Adventure of Crippen was the and spend some time looking out that magnitude and discovery rookie astronaut (at Earth),” said Crippen. usually go hand in hand. thrilled to be For Young, however, space For Young, Crippen and piloting a mission. flight not only provides a means NASA, the first flight of Colum- “I was doing of appreciating the planet, but a bia was no exception. “We sure handsprings,” said way of protecting it. He believes learned a lot,” said Young.