{"id":55691,"date":"2021-04-08T13:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T17:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-469948"},"modified":"2023-07-26T16:06:59","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:06:59","slug":"retired-astronaut-bob-crippen-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-sts-1-and-the-beginning-of-the-shuttle-program","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/retired-astronaut-bob-crippen-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-sts-1-and-the-beginning-of-the-shuttle-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Retired Astronaut Bob Crippen on the 40th Anniversary of STS-1 and the Beginning of the Shuttle Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1519\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A portrait of astronauts John Young, left, and Robert Crippen, the crew for the STS-1 mission.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=300,237 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=768,608 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=1024,810 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=1536,1215 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=400,316 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=600,475 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=900,712 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?resize=1200,949 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">These two astronauts are the prime crewmen for the first flight in the Space Transportation System (STS-1) program. Astronauts John W. Young, left, commander, and Robert L. Crippen, pilot, manned the space shuttle orbiter 102 Columbia for the first orbital flight test on April 12, 1981. Photo credit: NASA <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Space Shuttle Columbia began a new era of human spaceflight when STS-1 lifted off from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 12, 1981, for the inaugural flight of the nation\u2019s Space Shuttle Program. To mark the occasion, NASA is providing historical b-roll footage of the launch and landing as well as recently recorded soundbites from retired astronaut <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/crippen_robert.pdf?emrc=0a1799\">Bob Crippen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aboard the spacecraft were commander John W. Young and pilot Crippen. The flight was a test mission and the first time a shuttle was flown to space. Columbia lifted off at 7 a.m. from Launch Pad 39A and was NASA\u2019s first crewed mission since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. The launch occurred 20 years to the day after the first human launch when cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited Earth in the Vostok 1 capsule on April 12, 1961. Columbia concluded STS-1 on April 14, 1981, with a touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base, California, after a 54-hour mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mission objective was to demonstrate the safe launch into orbit and safe return of the orbiter and crew. The mission also verified the combined performance of the entire shuttle vehicle, orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and external tank. Payloads included the Developmental Flight Instrumentation (DFI) and the Aerodynamic Coefficient Identifications Package (ACIP) pallet containing equipment for recording temperatures, pressures, and acceleration levels at various points on the spacecraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between the first launch in 1981 and the final landing on July 21, 2011, NASA\u2019s space shuttle fleet \u2013 Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour \u2013 flew 135 missions, helped construct the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/station\">International Space Station<\/a>, and inspired generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As humanity\u2019s first reusable spacecraft, the space shuttle pushed the bounds of discovery ever farther, requiring not only advanced technologies but the tremendous effort of a vast workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crippen spoke via computer for a recent episode of NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4Bzh3amyCvk\" rel=\"noopener\">Rocket Ranch podcast<\/a>. During the interview, Crippen discusses his experience as STS-1 pilot, the spacecraft\u2019s historic launch and landing, the discovery of missing heat tiles during the mission, and the shuttle program legacy. Soundbites from that interview, along with historical photos and b-roll footage, can be found on NASA image site using the links below.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>STS-1 footage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/images.nasa.gov\/details-KSC-20210325-MH-JRS01_0001-STS-1_File_Footage_for_40th_Anniversary\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bob Crippen Interview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/images.nasa.gov\/details-KSC-20210325-MH-JRS01_0001-Bob_Crippen_Interview_on_STS-1_Soundbites\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Still images:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/images.nasa.gov\/details-S81-30503\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/images.nasa.gov\/details-KSC-81PC-0136\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/images.nasa.gov\/details-S79-31775\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>-end-<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Laura Aguiar<br \/>\nKennedy Space Center, Fla.<br \/>\n321-593-6245<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:laura.aguiar@nasa.gov\">laura.aguiar@nasa.gov<\/a><br \/>\nPatti Bielling<br \/>\nKennedy Space Center, Fla.<br \/>\n321-501-7575<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:amanda.griffin@nasa.gov\">patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Space Shuttle Columbia began a new era of human spaceflight when STS-1 lifted off from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 12, 1981, for the inaugural flight of the nation\u2019s Space Shuttle Program. To mark the occasion, NASA is providing historical b-roll footage of the launch and landing as well as recently [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":57894,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"M021-02","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"MEDIA ADVISORY","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2862],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[9508],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Retired Astronaut Bob Crippen on the 40th Anniversary of STS-1 and the Beginning of the Shuttle Program","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/retired-astronaut-bob-crippen-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-sts-1-and-the-beginning-of-the-shuttle-program\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/retired-astronaut-bob-crippen-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-sts-1-and-the-beginning-of-the-shuttle-program\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Danielle Sempsrott"}],"creator":["Danielle Sempsrott"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Centers & Facilities","Kennedy Space Center"],"dateCreated":"2021-04-08T17:38:00Z","datePublished":"2021-04-08T17:38:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T20:06:59Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Retired Astronaut Bob Crippen on the 40th Anniversary of STS-1 and the Beginning of the Shuttle Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/retired-astronaut-bob-crippen-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-sts-1-and-the-beginning-of-the-shuttle-program\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-04-08T17:38:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities,Kennedy Space Center\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Danielle Sempsrott\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":3,"featured_image":{"id":57894,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s79-31775_large.jpg","title":"s79-31775_large","alt":"A portrait of astronauts John Young, left, and Robert Crippen, the crew for the STS-1 mission.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/55691"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/55691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":135924,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/55691\/revisions\/135924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55691"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=55691"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=55691"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=55691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}