Atlantis, Previous Vessels Named: Difference between revisions

The primary space agency for the United States, NASA, began developing reusable space vehicles in the 1970s. The fourth one, named '''''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis Atlantis]''''' in honour of the original WHOI research vessel, was commissioned to be built in 1979 and completed in 1984. Its maiden voyage took place in late 1985, on October 3. Also known as Space Shuttle Orbiters, or simply space shuttles, the orbiters were wide-body, delta-winged airplane and space vehicles. '''''Atlantis''''' was constructed primarily out of aluminum and covered with reusable surface insulation. It was propelled by 49 rocket engines employed in various combinations for liftoff, attitude control in space, and for initiating reentry. Utilizing the 18.3 x 4.57 m cargo bay, its primary missions were ones of payload delivery to Low Earth Orbit, satellite retrieval/in situ repair, short-duration science platform, and Space Station assembly/servicing. The forward section of the orbiter contained the flight deck and crew quarters for the astronauts. Located at the aft end of the crew quarters deck was an air lock through which astronauts could enter the cargo bay when extravehicular activities were necessary. Varying mission profiles called for crews of between 2 and 8 people, and durations up to 16-day, or 28-days with Extended Duration Orbiters (EDO) kits. Its wingspan was 23.79 m, and it had a length of 37.24 m, height of 17.27 m, habitable volume of 71.5 m3, and a dry mass of 78,687 kg.