Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102)

Overview of Space Shuttle Columbia

Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) was the first space-rated orbiter in NASA’s Space Shuttle program. It played a major role in developing and proving reusable spacecraft technology.

First flight: April 12, 1981 (STS-1)

Last flight: STS-107, launched January 16, 2003

Total missions: 28

Total time in space: Over 300 days

Orbits of Earth: More than 4,800

Columbia was named after the American sloop Columbia Rediviva, one of the first U.S. ships to circumnavigate the globe.

1. Design and Characteristics

Columbia differed slightly from later shuttles:

Heavier structure because it was built first and included extra test instrumentation

Less thermal insulation upgrades than later orbiters

Not used for ISS missions due to weight limitations

Key components:

Orbiter Vehicle (crew cabin, wings, payload bay)

Three main engines

Thermal Protection System (TPS) made of heat-resistant tiles and reinforced carbon-carbon panels

The TPS protected the shuttle from extreme heat during re-entry (up to ~1,650°C / 3,000°F).