The Space Shuttle is the most advanced vehicle ever made by humans. Part rocket, part airplane, it is the worldÕs first reusable space transport. Since its first piloted space flight on April 12, 1981, the Shuttle has flown over 100 missions.

Unlike the rockets that went before it, the Shuttle is a multi-purpose vehicle. Once its rocket boosters propel it into orbit, the Shuttle can perform many different tasks. In the past it was a launch vehicle for satellites. Currently it is an orbiting service centre for satellites that need repair. The Shuttle collects old satellites and brings them back to Earth so their parts can be saved and recycled. It is also an observatory from which astronauts can study the environment of our planet, as well as a scientific laboratory. Today, the ShuttleÕs main functions are to act as a taxi and a pickup truck to deliver new sections, supplies and people to and from the International Space Station.

The Space Shuttle is made of three main parts: the Orbiter, the Solid Rocket Boosters (also known as the SRBs) and the External Tank (the ET).