<p>In 1972, President Nixon authorized the development of the space shuttle program, a new approach to space travel. By creating a reusable spacecraft, NASA aimed to establish a reliable system for ferrying personnel, supplies, and equipment. When Space Shuttle Columbia launched for the first time on April 12, 1981, on STS-1, it was the first<a class="more-link" href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/april-12-1981-columbia-lifts-of-for-the-first-space-shuttle-mission/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">"April 12, 1981: Columbia lifts of for the first space shuttle mission"</span></a></p>
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In 1972, President Nixon authorized the development of the space shuttle program, a new approach to space travel. By creating a reusable spacecraft, NASA aimed to establish a reliable system for ferrying personnel, supplies, and equipment. When Space Shuttle Columbia launched for the first time on April 12, 1981, on STS-1, it was the firstContinue reading “April 12, 1981: Columbia lifts of for the first space shuttle mission”
The post April 12, 1981: Columbia lifts of for the first space shuttle mission appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.