Did You Know: Space – What was the Space Shuttle?
The space shuttle was the first ever reusable spacecraft. It was used by NASA for 30 years to send astronauts into space.
Astronauts who flew on it helped to build the International Space Station, repaired the Hubble Space Telescope, and completed lots of important science experiments.
Fuel tank
This contained liquid fuel for the shuttle’s main engines.
This is where the crew would live and work. For launches and landings, the pilot and commander would sit at the front of the space shuttle.
Rocket power
The two Solid Rocket Boosters, nicknamed “SRBs,” would create most of the force needed to get into space.
Cargo bay
The cargo bay could be used to carry things, such as satellites, into orbit. There was also a robotic arm inside that could be used to retrieve things from space.
Main engines
There were three main space shuttle engines. These would fire along with the solid rocket boosters to lift the space shuttle off the launch pad.
What was it like in the space shuttle?
The cockpit
There were five computers with lots of screens (monitors) and control buttons inside the cockpit. These helped the astronauts to fly the shuttle.
Open doors
Astronauts could go outside the main cabin to work in the cargo bay. In the cargo bay, they would have to wear space suits to protect them from the harsh environment of space.