First Space Shuttle Launch

On April 12th, 1981, the space shuttle Columbia became the first reusable spacecraft to see actual use. Although the cockpits have been redesigned to use considerably more sophisticated instrumentation, the basic shuttle design remains similar as of 2003. NASA plans to use these spacecraft for a number of years yet until the second generation of reusable "spaceplanes" can be brought into use.

The Columbia remained part of NASA's active shuttle fleet until 2002, when it was destroyed with loss of all hands during atmospheric re-entry.

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