The impact and limitations of America's space shuttle program
The impact and limitations of America's space shuttle program
Erik Gregersen, astronomy and space exploration editor of Encyclopædia Britannica, discussing the successes and failures of the U.S. space shuttle program.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Transcript
[Introduction]
"T" minus 10 9 8 7 6 5 4, we've gone for main engine start. We have main engine start. And we have lift off, lift off of America's first space shuttle.
[End introduction]
The space shuttle program was originally conceived in the early '70s as something as what America would do after the landings of--of people on the Moon. The space shuttle did many great things. It proved that spacecraft could be usable. It proved that astronauts could repair satellites in space. However, it did fail to do what it was originally designed to do, which was to make space routine. People would be going into space every two or three weeks. You know, just like you--you go on a plane trip across the country. It never lived up to that billing, and space travel is no cheaper than it was in--in 1981, when they started, when the first--first space shuttle launched.
"T" minus 10 9 8 7 6 5 4, we've gone for main engine start. We have main engine start. And we have lift off, lift off of America's first space shuttle.
[End introduction]
The space shuttle program was originally conceived in the early '70s as something as what America would do after the landings of--of people on the Moon. The space shuttle did many great things. It proved that spacecraft could be usable. It proved that astronauts could repair satellites in space. However, it did fail to do what it was originally designed to do, which was to make space routine. People would be going into space every two or three weeks. You know, just like you--you go on a plane trip across the country. It never lived up to that billing, and space travel is no cheaper than it was in--in 1981, when they started, when the first--first space shuttle launched.