Nasa Space Shuttle

NASA Space Shuttle was a reusable crew-and-cargo low-Earth-orbit transportation system, formally the Space Transportation System, used to launch, retrieve, service, and assemble orbital payloads.^[1][2] It is retired: the fleet flew 135 missions from the first launch on 1981-04-12 to the final landing on 2011-07-21.^[2][1] Shuttle cargo could weigh up to 29,000 kg / 65,000 lb, depending on the required orbital inclination.^[3] For launch procurement, this is historical infrastructure rather than an active commercial launch service. The Shuttle deployed, serviced, or carried science and Earth-observation payloads during its operational life.^[2][1]