-
1981
The era of the space shuttle commences with a test flight of Space Shuttle Columbia flown by astronauts John W. Young and Robert L. Crippen. -
Period: to
years
-
1983
On a Communications Satellite Launch aboard the Challenger, Sally K. Ride became the first U.S. woman to fly in space -
1983
A mission specialist aboard the Challenger, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., became the first African-American to fly in space. -
1983
A mission specialist aboard the Challenger, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., became the first African-American to fly in space. -
1986
73 seconds into flight, the Challenger was destroyed due to a leak in one of the Rocket boosters.. Seven crew members were lost, including the first teacher aboard a space shuttle on a mission. -
1988
The era of the shuttle makes a comeback with the successful launch of the Discovery marking the 26th shuttle flight -
1989
“President George H.W. Bush announces plans for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). In this speech, he called for the construction of a space station, sending humans back to the Moon, and ultimately sending astronauts to Mars.” -
1990
Launch of the Hubble Space Telescope from the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-31).”
