United Space Alliance
Space Shuttle Columbia OV-102
Launch Vehicle
Space Shuttle Columbia OV-102
Configuration: OV-102
Family: Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space-rated orbiter in NASA's Space Shuttle fleet. It launched for the first time on mission STS-1 on April 12, 1981, the first flight of the Space Shuttle program. Over 22 years of service it completed 27 missions before disintegrating during re-entry near the end of its 28th mission, STS-107 on February 1, 2003, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members.
Test Flight
STS-4 was the fourth flight of the Space Shuttle program. The mission flew for a week in orbit and was the final test of the Space Shuttle. Further missions declared it officially operational.