40 Years Ago Today - First Space Shuttle Mission On April 12, 1981, space shuttle Columbia and STS-1 lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center with astronauts John W. Young, STS-1 commander, and Robert L. Crippen, pilot, marking the first flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Columbia's 36-orbit flight tested the vehicle's performance as a reusable spacecraft. The orbiter successfully returned to Earth April 14, 1981. WATCH Shuttle Programs: https://www.c-span.org/series/?ahtv | American Histor

NASA Space Shuttle landing, as the orbiter returns safely to Earth after completing its mission in space. Traveling at incredible speeds, the Space Shuttle glides through the atmosphere and touches down like an airplane — a perfect ending to a challenging journey beyond Earth. Space Shuttle landings were some of the most intense moments in human spaceflight, requiring absolute precision after enduring extreme heat during re-entry. 📽️ Video credit: NASA / Kennedy Space Center #NASA #SpaceShuttle