U.S. President Richard Nixon orders the development of a space shuttle program.

The first Space Shuttle, Enterprise, is unveiled by NASA.

The first fully functional space shuttle orbiter, ''Columbia'', is delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center to be prepared for its first launch.

The first launch of a Space Shuttle: ''Columbia'' launches on the STS-1 mission. thumb launch: ''Columbia''.]]

NASA's Space Shuttle ''Columbia'', is launched from the Kennedy Space Center on its third mission, STS-3.

Space Shuttle Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the final research and development flight mission, STS-4.

During STS-6, astronauts Story Musgrave and Don Peterson perform the first space shuttle spacewalk.

STS-41-D: The Space Shuttle ''Discovery'' takes off on its maiden voyage.

Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian in space, aboard the Space Shuttle ''Challenger''.

The PEPCON disaster rocks Henderson, Nevada, as tons of space shuttle fuel detonates during a fire.

Space Shuttle: NASA launches STS-26, the return to flight mission, after the Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster. 160px, flown by OV-103.]]

Space shuttle STS-62 (''Columbia'' 16) launches into orbit.

Space Shuttle program: STS-72 launches from the Kennedy Space Center marking the start of the 74th Space Shuttle mission and the 10th flight of ''Endeavour''.

NASA launches STS-92, the 100th Space Shuttle mission, using Space Shuttle Discovery.

STS-114: NASA grounds the Space Shuttle, pending an investigation of the continuing problem with the shedding of foam insulation from the external fuel tank. During ascent, the external tank of the Space Shuttle Discovery sheds a piece of foam slightly smaller than the piece that caused the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster; this foam does not strike the spacecraft.