04.12.81...............Shuttle STS-1
I was 21 yrs. old, wet behind the ears, getting ready to start a new career of my own. Selling Buick's during the ugliest recession in history, (up 'til now, we're in the recession that won't go away!)
NASA was getting ready to start something new. Up until now we sent manned rockets up that had a capsule that would separate from the rocket, and become self supporting. I followed the space program as I was growing up.
Now NASA had something new. They developed a "Shuttle" that started out with two booster rockets and a fuel tank with enough fuel in it to get the Shuttle into orbit. Once in orbit, the Shuttle could hook up with the manned space station, all ready under construction. the The fleet of Shuttles actually transported parts of the space station to the construction site.
NASA had five Shuttles. Columbia, Challenger, Atlantis, Endeavour and Discovery.
Unfortunately NASA lost two of its Shuttles is Space tragedies. Challenger exploded seconds after lift off. on 01.28.86. Faulty fuel line o-rings were to blame. Our nation mourned a tragic loss as all members of the Shuttle perished.
The second Shuttle tragedy occurred 2.1.2003.
The Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into the earths atmosphere. Faulty tiles to cool the Shuttles undercarriage were deemed defective. Again, our Nation wipedc it's tears.
Hopefully, someday the U.S.A. will proudly enter our own space travel again.
Yours in Liberty !
Bob Yeager
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