Manned Space Flight, USA, Shuttle Space Shuttle Columbia landing, 1980s

Manned Space Flight, USA, Shuttle Space Shuttle Columbia landing, 1980s. In order to descend to earth the Shuttle is turned so that its orbital manoeuvring system (OMS) engines point in the direction of travel. The engines are fired, slowing the craft until it falls to Earth. As the air gets thicker, the aerodynamic controls become effective and the Orbiter glides down to a landing. The Space Shuttle, the world's first partially reusable launch vehicle, first flew on 12th April 1981 and has been used for all America's manned space missions ever since. Columbia was the first of the Shuttle fleet to fly, and successfully completed 28 missions before being lost, together with its crew of seven, on re-entry over Texas on 1st February 2003. ©SSPL/NASA