When was the first space shuttle launch by NASA?

romeomikegolf

April 12 1981 was the date it first went into orbit. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010412.html On April 12, 1981, the Space Shuttle Columbia became the first shuttle to orbit the Earth. Flown by Commander John W. Young and Pilot Robert L. Crippen, Columbia spent two days aloft on its check-out mission, STS-1, which ended in a smooth landing, airplane-style, at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Ferried back to Kennedy by a modified Boeing 747, Columbia was launched again seven months later on STS-2, becoming the first piloted reuseable orbiter. Jan 11 05, 1:29 AM

meatloafgas

space shutle columbia. a fact is that it had a white external tank. the mission was entitled STS-1. then launched again, being the only shuttle to use a white tank. Feb 21 07, 12:35 PM