Space Nerd

Orbiter

Challenger

Workhorse of the expanding shuttle manifest

Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-7 in orbit
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (NASA)
First flight
April 4, 1983
Last flight
January 28, 1986
Missions
10

OV-099 flew the first spacewalk of the program, carried the first American woman and first African American astronauts to space, and supported satellite deployments and science flights during a busy early period of shuttle operations.

Highlights

  • ·First shuttle spacewalk (STS-6)
  • ·STS-41G: multi-disciplinary crew milestones
  • ·STS-51L: Teacher in Space Project (mission lost)

Status

Challenger was lost shortly after launch on STS-51L (January 28, 1986). The tragedy paused the program and reshaped NASA’s approach to risk, design, and decision-making.