Real World: Legacy of NASA’s Space Shuttle – Because It Flew
Use a graph to learn more about the history of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. Find out how mission complexity increased over time, leading to new careers and innovations that will launch us into the next stage of space exploration. See how important the Shuttle was, just because it flew!
Discussion and writing prompts
1. The Space Shuttle program accomplished much more than transporting astronauts to space. How did the Space Shuttle change the way scientists and engineers explore, study, and work in space? Choose one accomplishment highlighted in the video. Explain why it remains important today and how it continues to influence current or future NASA missions.
2. The Space Shuttle program experienced both successes and setbacks, but every mission contributed new knowledge. Why is continuous learning from both successful missions and unexpected challenges an important part of scientific and engineering progress and essential for advancing space exploration?
3. Many of today's NASA missions build on the technologies, experience, and knowledge gained during the Space Shuttle program. How does one generation of exploration make future missions possible?
4. Imagine you are preparing a presentation for students 50 years from now about the legacy of the Space Shuttle. Describe three ways the Shuttle program helped shape today's space exploration, and predict how its innovations might continue to influence future missions to the Moon, Mars, or beyond. Use examples from the video to support your ideas.
Background Information
Grades K through 4
- NASA What Was the Space Shuttle? (webpage)
- NASA What Is the Artemis Program? (webpage)
Grades K through 12
- NASA Join the Artemis Mission to the Moon Student Resources (webpage)
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA JPL Fun Facts About the Space Shuttle Orbiter (jpg)
- NASA Space Shuttle: A Remarkable Flying Machine (video)
Grades 5 through 12
- NASA Space Shuttle (webpage)
- NASA The Space Shuttle (webpage)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Toward a History of the Space Shuttle (e-book)
- NASA Space Shuttle Historical Resources (webpage)
- NASA Artemis (webpage)
Activities
Grades K through 4
- NASA Buzz Lightyear Load the Shuttle Activity (webpage)
Grades K through 12
- NASA Space Shuttle Tires (webpage)
Grades 3 through 8
- NASA Spinoffs Game (interactive)
Grades 4 through 8
- NASA Forward to the Moon with Artemis Explorer Activities (webpage)
Grades 5 through 12
- Paper Space Scale Models Space Shuttle Models (pdf)