What was the first space shuttle to orbit the earth?

Answer 1

Columbia (STS-1)

It was the second shuttle built, (first was the enterprise which was never launched), and by far the heaviest because it had the most instrumentation for measuring all sorts of things as they developed the shuttle program. It was piloted by Bob Crippin and i think the commanders name was Young, cant remember his first name

Its also the shuttle that burned up upon re-entry after the foam shedding impact on launch last year.

Answer 2

I hope this helps

The first Space Shuttle, name Columbia, took off into space on April 12, 1981.
The Space Shuttle takes off from a launch pad vertically, sitting on its tail, just like a rocket. Attached to the Space Shuttle are two booster rockets, and a large fuel tank. These help propel the Space Shuttle into space.

Within minutes of the launch, the booster rockets are exhausted and are ejected. Parachutes open from the booster rockets and slowly lower them into the Ocean. There they are picked up by a waiting ship.

This leaves the shuttle and the fuel tank. At about 75 miles above the Earth, the external fuel tank is now empty and separates. It falls back to Earth and lands in the India Ocean.

Two small rockets now ignite to steer the shuttle in space.

Answer 3

Space Shuttle Program Begins with Launch of STS-1
Space Shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on April 12, 1981, at 6 a.m. CST (12:00 GMT) to begin the first shuttle mission, STS-1. The primary mission objectives for STS-1 were to accomplish a safe ascent into orbit, check out all the systems on the space shuttle and to return to Earth for a safe landing. All of these objectives were met successfully.

The main payload carried on STS-1 was a Development Flight Instrumentation package, which contained sensors and measuring devices to record orbiter performance and the stresses that occurred during launch, ascent, orbital flight, descent and landing.

Postflight inspection of Columbia revealed that an overpressure wave, which occurred when the solid rocket boosters ignited, resulted in the loss of 16 heat shield tiles and damage to 148 others.

Columbia and its crew landed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on April 14, 1981, at 12:20 p.m. CST (18:20 GMT).

Mission Objectives

STS-1 Mission Patch Demonstrate safe launch into orbit and safe return of the orbiter and crew. Verify the combined performance of the entire shuttle vehicle - orbiter, solid rocket boosters and external tank.

Payloads included the Developmental Flight Instrumentation (DFI) and the Aerodynamic Coefficient Identifications Package (ACIP) pallet containing equipment for recording temperatures, pressures and acceleration levels at various points on the vehicle.

Mission Highlights

Major systems tested successfully on first flight of Space Transportation System. Orbiter sustained tile damage on launch and from overpressure wave created by the solid rocket boosters. Subsequent modifications to the water sound suppression system eliminated the problem. A total of sixteen tiles were lost and 148 tiles were damaged.

Mission: First Shuttle Mission/Shuttle Systems Test Flight
Space Shuttle: Columbia
Launch Pad: 39A
Launched: April 12, 1981 at 7:00:03 a.m. EST
Launch Weight: 219,258 pounds
Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Landing: April 14, 1981 at 10:20:57 a.m. PST
Runway: 23
Rollout Distance: 8,993 feet
Rollout Time: 60 seconds
Revolution: 37
Mission Duration: 2 days, 6 hours, 20 minutes, and 53 seconds
Returned to KSC: April 28, 1981
Orbit Altitude: 166 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 40.3 degrees
Miles Traveled: 1.074 million
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/archives/sts-1/index.html

Answer 4

Columbia, 1981

http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/rocket_worldbook.html

Answer 5

Colombia.

Answer 6

apolo 5

Answer 7

Columbia, i think it was 1981