http://www.stampcollectioninfo.com/space-shuttle/
Space Shuttle?
How many Space Shuttles have NASA built and what are their names?
The Space Shuttle has been around for as long as I can remember. When are they likely to be replaced by something more advanced?
5 shuttles have been launched into space. Here is a list of the name and the date of maiden voyage for each:
Columbia -- 1981
Challenger -- 1983
Discovery -- 1984
Atlantis -- 1985
Endeavor -- 1992
Challenger was destroyed shortly after launch in 1986, and Columbia broke up upon re-entry in 2003.
The next launch vehicle, which replaces the space shuttle, is scheduled to come online in 2014. The shuttles are getting old, although that is not necessarily important: the B-52 Stratofortress provides a good example of aerospace technology which has been around for a long period (the most recent was built in 1962) but is still in use by the military.
What is more important is the issue of launch safety. The shuttles are side-mounted onto the fuel tank. This makes them susceptible to damage from falling debris (such as the falling foam which ultimately led to the break-up of Columbia). The shuttles' replacement vehicle is slated to have a top-mount design, so that falling debris will become irrelevant. It is also unlikely that this new orbiter will land, as do the current shuttles, like a (very fast and searing hot) glider.
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 USA Mint Space Shuttle Endeavour P Block of 4 SN2544A $99.99 Time Remaining: 2h 46m |
 First Day Cover Stamp Space Shuttle Columbia $21.00 Time Remaining: 4h 15m Buy It Now for only: $21.00 |
 US 2544A 1075 Space Shuttle Endeavour FLEETWOOD CACHET $14.00 Time Remaining: 5h 46m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 NASA Space Shuttle For Benefits on Earth w Scott 1818 4 12 1981 $0.99 Time Remaining: 6h 49m |
 3261 320 SPACE SHUTTLE LANDING M NH FULL SHEET OF 20 FACE $67.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 33m |
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 2277 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 89 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 15m |
 25th Anniv 1st Space Shuttle Flight Pictorial Postmark $4.50 Time Remaining: 10h 17m |
 2631 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 92 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 19m |
 2631 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 93 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 19m |
 2632 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 92 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 20m |
 2632 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 92 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 20m |
 2633 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 92 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 20m |
 2634 KENNEDY SPACE CTR 92 Space Shuttle PICTORIAL CANC $3.50 Time Remaining: 10h 20m |
 20 First Day Covers 1940 88 Space Shuttle Indian Centennial Will Rogers +++ $6.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 12h 53m |
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 1978 Offical Rockwell Two Space Covers Shuttle Enterprise + Info $6.95 Time Remaining: 13h 39m |
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 WW LK 1991 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER 300 Priority Mail USED WW LK $0.25 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 14h 44m |
 3261 320 Space Shuttle Landing used VF NG Priority mail US High value $1.75 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 25m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER DISASTER CREW MEMORIAL Local Post Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 37m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE TRAINING AIRCRAFT 1ST GULFSTREAM ARRIVES AT HOUSTON Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 39m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS 8 LAUNCH 1983 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 39m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER DISASTER 1986 Space Cover $3.00 Time Remaining: 15h 39m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA ENGINE 2005 FINAL TEST 1979 ORBIT COVERS Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 39m |
 Hologram Shuttle Docking Space Station Envelope 25 $3.25 Time Remaining: 15h 53m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 |
 SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY STS 51D LAUNCH 1985 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 56m |
 JOHNSON SPACE CENTER CLUB 1976 Space Shuttle Cancel Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 56m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE GULFSTREAM 947 T 38 920 AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TESTS 1978 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE T 38 920 914 AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TESTS 1978 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS 7 LAUNCHES 2 SATELLITES 1983 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE AFT RSC ENGINE TEST 1978 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE GULFSTREAM 946 T 38 956 AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TESTS 1978 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY STS 41D RETURNS TO KSC 1984 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE GULFSTREAM 947 AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TEST 1978 Space Cover $2.00 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS 11 1ST UNTETHERED SPACEWALK EVA 2 1984 Space Cover $3.00 Time Remaining: 16h 2m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE GULFSTREAM JET TEST 1977 Space Cover $3.00 Time Remaining: 16h 2m |
 SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS 8 Launch 1983 Space Cover $3.00 Time Remaining: 16h 2m |
 4 space shuttle diff phases U A FDC s 21st May 1981 Josh Hamilton born $11.99 Time Remaining: 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
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 2544 300 Priority Mail Challenger Space Shuttle Artcraft Cachet $3.00 Time Remaining: 18h 4m |
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