{"id":634637,"date":"2024-03-21T21:05:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T01:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=634637"},"modified":"2024-03-21T21:19:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T01:19:39","slug":"45-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/","title":{"rendered":"45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Columbia Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On March 24, 1979, space shuttle Columbia arrived at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for the very first time. Following Presidential direction to build the space shuttle in 1972, Congress quickly approved and funded the program later that year. Construction of the first orbital vehicle, later named Columbia, began in 1975. Four years later, Columbia completed its first transcontinental flight, arriving at KSC to begin preparations for its first mission. The first shuttle flight in April 1981 ushered in an era of reusable space transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"230\" width=\"301\" class=\"wp-image-634639\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg\" alt=\"NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, left, presents a model of the space shuttle to President Richard M. Nixon in January 1972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg 2834w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=300,229 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=768,586 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=1024,782 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=1536,1172 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=2048,1563 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=400,305 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=600,458 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=900,687 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=1200,916 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg?resize=2000,1526 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"230\" width=\"348\" class=\"wp-image-634640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo 16 astronauts John W. Young, left, and Charles M. Duke on the Moon in April 1972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=768,509 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=1024,678 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=400,265 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=600,398 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=900,596 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-2-young-and-duke-on-the-moon-apollo-16.jpg?resize=1200,795 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" \/><\/a><br><em>Left: NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, left, presents a model of the space shuttle to President Richard M. Nixon in January 1972. Right: Apollo 16 astronauts John W. Young, left, and Charles M. Duke on the Moon in April 1972.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Jan. 5, 1972, President Richard M. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-president-nixon-directs-nasa-to-build-the-space-shuttle\/\">Nixon directed NASA<\/a> to build the space shuttle, formally called the Space Transportation System (STS), stating that \u201cit would revolutionize transportation into near space.\u201d NASA Administrator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-james-fletcher-sworn-in-as-nasa-administrator\/\">James C. Fletcher<\/a> hailed the President\u2019s decision as \u201can historic step in the nation\u2019s space program,\u201d adding that it would change what humans can accomplish in space. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-apollo-16-on-the-moon-at-descartes\/\">Apollo 16<\/a> astronauts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-john-w-young\/\">John W. Young<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/duke_charles.pdf?emrc=666fafb621579\">Charles M. Duke<\/a> learned of the space shuttle\u2019s approval while exploring the Moon in April 1972. Mission Control informed them that Congress had authorized the development of the space shuttle. Young and Duke both enthusiastically responded to the positive news with \u201cBeautiful! Wonderful! Beautiful!\u201d Young added with some foresight, \u201cThe country needs that shuttle mighty bad. You\u2019ll see.\u201d He had no way of knowing that nine years later, he would command the first ship of the space shuttle fleet, Columbia, on its maiden voyage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-3-columbia-under-construction-crew-module.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"173\" width=\"242\" class=\"wp-image-634641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-3-columbia-under-construction-crew-module.jpg\" alt=\"Space Shuttle Columbia\u2019s crew compartment during assembly in 1976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-3-columbia-under-construction-crew-module.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-3-columbia-under-construction-crew-module.jpg?resize=300,215 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-4-columbia-construction-tail-section-nov-21-1977-s78-25470.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"165\" width=\"179\" class=\"wp-image-634642\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-4-columbia-construction-tail-section-nov-21-1977-s78-25470.jpg\" alt=\"Columbia\u2019s aft fuselage and wings during assembly in November 1977\"><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-5-columbia-just-before-rollout-mar-18-1979.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"173\" width=\"247\" class=\"wp-image-634643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-5-columbia-just-before-rollout-mar-18-1979.jpg\" alt=\"Space Shuttle Columbia just prior to rollout from Rockwell\u2019s plant in Palmdale in March 1979\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-5-columbia-just-before-rollout-mar-18-1979.jpg 546w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-5-columbia-just-before-rollout-mar-18-1979.jpg?resize=300,210 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-5-columbia-just-before-rollout-mar-18-1979.jpg?resize=400,281 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px\" \/><\/a><br><em>Left: Columbia\u2019s crew compartment during assembly in 1976. Middle: Columbia\u2019s aft fuselage and wings during assembly in November 1977. Right: Columbia just prior to rollout from Rockwell\u2019s plant in Palmdale in March 1979.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once Congress authorized the funds, on July 26, 1972, NASA awarded the contract to the North American Rockwell Corporation of Downey, California, to begin construction of the first orbital vehicle. Officially known as Orbital Vehicle-102 (OV-102), in January 1979 NASA named it Columbia after Captain Robert Gary\u2019s sloop that explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1790s and took the honor as the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe, as well as after the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-the-journey-to-the-moon-begins\/\">Apollo 11<\/a> Command Module. Construction of Columbia\u2019s first components at Rockwell\u2019s Palmdale, California, plant began on March 25, 1975.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"144\" width=\"218\" class=\"wp-image-634648\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg\" alt=\"Workers roll Columbia out from its hangar at Rockwell\u2019s Palmdale, California, plant\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg 3750w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=768,507 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=1024,676 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=1536,1015 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=2048,1353 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=400,264 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=600,396 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=900,594 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=1200,793 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-6-columbia-rollout-at-palmdale-mar-8-1979-s79-30458.jpg?resize=2000,1321 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 218px) 100vw, 218px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"144\" width=\"221\" class=\"wp-image-634649\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg\" alt=\"Workers transport Columbia from Rockwell\u2019s Palmdale facility to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg 3738w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=300,196 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=768,501 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=1024,668 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=1536,1002 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=2048,1336 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=400,261 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=600,391 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=900,587 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=1200,783 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-7-columbia-rollover-from-palmdale-to-eafb-mar-8-1979-s79-30465.jpg?resize=2000,1304 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"144\" width=\"220\" class=\"wp-image-634650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg\" alt=\"Columbia atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft takes off from Dryden to begin the cross-country ferry flight\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg 3772w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=300,196 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=768,502 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=1024,670 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=1536,1005 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=2048,1339 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=400,262 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=600,392 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=900,589 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=1200,785 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?resize=2000,1308 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a><br><em>Left: Workers roll Columbia out from its hangar at Rockwell\u2019s Palmdale, California, plant. Middle: Workers transport Columbia from Rockwell\u2019s Palmdale facility to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center. Right: Columbia atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft takes off from Dryden to begin the cross-country ferry flight. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearly four years later, on March 8, 1979, Columbia rolled out of the Palmdale facility to begin its multi-day transcontinental journey to KSC. For the first step of the journey, workers towed Columbia from Palmdale overland to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) 36 miles away. Two days later, workers there hoisted Columbia onto the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a Boeing 747 aircraft modified to transport space shuttle orbiters. During a test flight, thousands of the orbiter\u2019s thermal protection system tiles fell off. Workers returned Columbia to a hangar where over 100 men and women worked for nine days reapplying the tiles. Weather then delayed Columbia\u2019s departure until March 20, when the SCA\/shuttle duo flew from Dryden to Biggs AFB in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"182\" width=\"279\" class=\"wp-image-635784\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png\" alt=\"Space shuttle Columbia atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) touches down at Kelly Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio for an overnight stop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png 3816w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=300,196 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=768,501 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=1024,668 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=1536,1003 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=2048,1337 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=400,261 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=600,392 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=900,588 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=1200,783 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-9-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30313.png?resize=2000,1306 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"182\" width=\"119\" class=\"wp-image-634653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg\" alt=\"Head on view of Space Shuttle Columbia atop the SCA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg 2478w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=196,300 196w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=768,1176 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=669,1024 669w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=1003,1536 1003w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=1337,2048 1337w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=261,400 261w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=392,600 392w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=588,900 588w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=784,1200 784w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-10-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-30324.jpg?resize=1306,2000 1306w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 119px) 100vw, 119px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"182\" width=\"246\" class=\"wp-image-634654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg\" alt=\"Tina Aguilar, age nine, an aspiring young reporter, interviews astronaut Donald K. \u201cDeke\u201d Slayton in front of Columbia and the SCA at Kelly AFB\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg 3906w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=300,223 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=768,570 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=1024,760 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=1536,1140 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=2048,1519 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=400,297 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=600,445 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=900,668 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=1200,890 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-11-columbia-at-kelly-afb-mar-21-1979-s79-29848.jpg?resize=2000,1484 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" \/><\/a><br><em>Left: Space shuttle Columbia atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) touches down at Kelly Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio for an overnight stop. Middle: Head on view of Columbia atop the SCA. Right: Tina Aguilar, age nine, an aspiring young reporter, interviews astronaut Donald K. \u201cDeke\u201d Slayton in front of Columbia and the SCA at Kelly AFB.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weather delayed Columbia\u2019s departure for the planned refueling stop at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, until the next day. About 200,000 people went to view the shuttle during its overnight layover in San Antonio prior to its departure on March 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"173\" width=\"214\" class=\"wp-image-635790\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png\" alt=\"Space shuttle Columbia atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) flies over the Saturn V display at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png 4084w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=300,242 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=768,619 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=1024,826 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=1536,1239 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=2048,1652 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=400,323 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=600,484 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=900,726 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=1200,968 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-12-columbia-ksc-flyover-saturn-v-mar-24-1979-s79-30822.png?resize=2000,1613 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"173\" width=\"220\" class=\"wp-image-634670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg\" alt=\"Columbia atop the SCA touches down at KSC\u2019s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), with the Vehicle Assembly Building visible in the background\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg 4116w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=300,236 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=768,605 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=1024,806 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=1536,1209 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=2048,1612 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=400,315 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=600,472 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=900,708 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=1200,945 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-13-columbia-and-sca-touching-down-on-slf-mar-24-1979-s79-30819.jpg?resize=2000,1574 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"173\" width=\"218\" class=\"wp-image-634671\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg\" alt=\"At the SLF, NASA Administrator Robert A. Frosch addresses the crowd assembled to welcome Columbia to KSC, as other dignitaries listen\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg 4110w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=300,237 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=768,608 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=1024,810 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=1536,1215 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=2048,1620 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=400,316 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=600,475 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=900,712 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=1200,949 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-14-columbia-ksc-slf-arrival-ceremony-mar-24-1979-s79-30815.jpg?resize=2000,1582 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 218px) 100vw, 218px\" \/><\/a><br><em>Left: The past meets the future, as space shuttle Columbia atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) flies over the Saturn V display at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Middle: Columbia atop the SCA touches down at KSC\u2019s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), with the Vehicle Assembly Building visible in the background. Right: At the SLF, NASA Administrator Robert A. Frosch addresses the crowd assembled to welcome Columbia to KSC, as other dignitaries listen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After another overnight stop at Eglin AFB in Florida, Columbia atop the SCA touched down at KSC\u2019s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) on March 24, a crowd of about 3,000 cheering its arrival. Dignitaries in attendance at a brief welcoming ceremony at the SLF included NASA Administrator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-robert-frosch-sworn-in-as-nasa-administrator\/\">Robert A. Frosch<\/a>, KSC Director Lee R. Scherer, SCA pilots Joseph S. Algranti and Fitzhugh L. Fulton, program manager for Shuttle Flight Test Operations NASA astronaut <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-donald-k-deke-slayton\/\">Donald K. \u201cDeke\u201d Slayton<\/a>, and astronauts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-john-w-young\/\">John W. Young<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/crippen_robert.pdf?emrc=666fafb621e71\">Robert L. Crippen<\/a>, designated as the commander and pilot for STS-1, the first space shuttle mission. Also in attendance, U.S. Congressman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people\/nasa-administrator-bill-nelson\/\">C. William \u201cBill\u201d Nelson<\/a> whose district included KSC and now serves as NASA\u2019s 14<sup>th<\/sup> administrator, and Florida Lieutenant Governor J. Wayne Mixson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"230\" width=\"291\" class=\"wp-image-634675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg\" alt=\"Columbia in the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg 6108w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=300,238 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=768,608 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=1024,811 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=1536,1217 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=2048,1623 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=400,317 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=600,475 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=900,713 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=1200,951 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-15-columbia-in-opf-mar-1979-s79-31261.jpg?resize=2000,1584 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 291px) 100vw, 291px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"230\" width=\"180\" class=\"wp-image-634676\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg\" alt=\"Workers hoist Columbia in KSC\u2019s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for mating with its external tank and solid rocket boosters\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg 3435w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=234,300 234w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=768,984 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=799,1024 799w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=1198,1536 1198w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=1598,2048 1598w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=312,400 312w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=468,600 468w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=702,900 702w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=936,1200 936w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-16-columbia-being-hoisted-in-vab-nov-1980-s80-42884.jpg?resize=1560,2000 1560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"230\" width=\"184\" class=\"wp-image-634677\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg\" alt=\"Space Shuttle Columbia rolls out of the VAB on its way to Launch Pad 39A\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-17-columbia-rollout-for-sts-1-dec-29-1980.jpg?resize=720,900 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/a><br><em>Left: Columbia in the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Middle: Workers hoist Columbia in KSC\u2019s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for mating with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Right: Columbia rolls out of the VAB on its way to Launch Pad 39A.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next day, after removing Columbia from the back of the SCA, workers towed it into the Orbiter Processing Facility, where the orbiter spent the next 19 months preparing for its first flight. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/40-years-ago-five-months-until-sts-1-launch\/\">Rollover<\/a> to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for mating with its External Tank and the two Solid Rocket Boosters took place Nov. 24, 1980. After a series of integrated tests, the shuttle stack <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/40-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-rolls-out-to-launch-pad-39a\/\">rolled out of the VAB<\/a> and made the 3.5-mile trip to Launch Pad 39A on Dec. 29, 1980. Young and Crippen flew Columbia\u2019s historic first mission, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/40-years-ago-columbia-takes-flight\/\">STS-1<\/a>, in April 1981, ushering in an era of reusable space transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div 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class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Mar 21, 2024<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/\">NASA History<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/space-shuttle\/\">Space Shuttle<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/flag-day-2024-one-small-flags-incredible-journey\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img 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xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-manned-orbiting-laboratory-cancellation\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" 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\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg 424w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?resize=300,212 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?resize=400,283 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">10 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Manned Orbiting Laboratory Cancellation<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-star-trek-final-episode-airs-relationship-with-nasa-endures\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" 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\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=300,217 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=768,555 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=400,289 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=600,434 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">15 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Star Trek Final Episode Airs, Relationship with NASA Endures<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On March 24, 1979, space shuttle Columbia arrived at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for the very first time. Following Presidential direction to build the space shuttle in 1972, Congress quickly approved and funded the program later that year. Construction of the first orbital vehicle, later named Columbia, began in 1975. Four years later, Columbia [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":634650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2671,2725],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[12664,11995],"coauthors":[11996],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Columbia Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA History","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"John Uri"}],"creator":["John Uri"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Missions","Space Shuttle","NASA History"],"dateCreated":"2024-03-22T01:05:39Z","datePublished":"2024-03-22T01:05:39Z","dateModified":"2024-03-22T01:19:39Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Columbia Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-03-22T01:05:39Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Missions,Space Shuttle,NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"John Uri\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":6,"time_ago":"3 months","featured_image":{"id":634650,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/columbia-arrives-at-ksc-8-columbia-takeoff-from-eafb-mar-20-1979-s79-30472.jpg","title":"S79-29733 022","alt":"Columbia atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft takes off from Dryden to begin the cross-country ferry flight","caption":"Columbia atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft takes off from Dryden to begin the cross-country ferry flight"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/634637"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=634637"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/634637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":635793,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/634637\/revisions\/635793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/634650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=634637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=634637"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=634637"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=634637"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=634637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}