Dec 15, 2019
In part 5 of our new series Humanity in Space, I take a look at the most impressive spacecraft ever built, the Space Shuttle. The idea for a reusable spaceship to be used to transport crew and also deploy satellites started with the inception of NASA, and yet it wasn't until April of 1981 the first Space Shuttle took flight. For 30 years the Space Shuttle was the face of modern-day space exploration, and this episode looks at the history and the science and technology behind the Space Shuttle System. Also, hear from retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott about what it was like to fly on the Space Shuttle.
As we look towards the future of space exploration there are many new ideas for spacecraft and hopefully one day we will match the beauty and functionality the Space Shuttle program offered.