The Space Shuttle was a partially reusable spacecraft operated by NASA from 1981 until 2011.
It consisted of a spaceplane (called the orbiter), which was launched vertically with the aid of rocket, and would land like a conventional airplane upon return. Six orbiters were built between 1974 and 1991, and would fly a total of 135 missions over a 30 year period, during which it played a crucial role in the construction of the International Space Station.
After their retirement, all but two (Challenger & Columbia) of the orbiters were preserved and are currently on display at museums.
