On August 12, 1977, NASA entered a new era with the launch of the Enterprise, a space shuttle prototype that never actually reached space.But despite falling short of even cruising altitude in a ...

The first shuttle, the Enterprise, would only be used for testing. It was the second, the Columbia, that had the honor of being the first space shuttle to launch into orbit.

In 1977, the Enterprise became the first space shuttle to fly on its own. It was lifted 25,000 feet into the air by a Boeing 747 airplane and then was released.

The first space shuttle launch happened in 1981 on the 20th anniversary of when Yuri Gargarin became the first man in space, but the launch date was not by design. A technical delay scrubbed the ...

In 1984, NASA ferried Enterprise to California, where it was hooked up to a tank and boosters at Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 6 – the first and only time that a shuttle would be stacked ...

After test glide and landings upon release from aircraft in 1977, the Space Shuttle began orbital flights in April 1981. The shuttle would launch 135 times from Florida — but only 133 would land ...

After test glide and landings upon release from aircraft in 1977, the Space Shuttle began orbital flights in April 1981. The shuttle would launch 135 times from Florida — but only 133 would land ...