NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1

SUCCESS Space Shuttle →
Apr 12, 1981 at 12:00 UTC
Low Earth Orbit Test Flight Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA 99% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Complex 39A
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPETest Flight
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-1 was the first orbital spaceflight of the Space Shuttle Program. The first orbiter Columbia took a 54.5 hour flight and circled the Earth 36 times. This was NASAs first craft to be manned during a testflight. Manned by John Young and Bob Crippen.

MISSION
STS-1
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 038e9bee-75c0-4b8e-afe1-bf66a474c091
Reported date: Apr 12, 1981 at 12:00 UTC
Last synced: 1 minute ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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OV-102SERIAL
28FLIGHTS
Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION
DestroyedSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Space Shuttle Columbia (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first space-rated orbiter in NASA's Space Shuttle fleet. It launched for the first time on mission STS-1 on April 12, 1981,…

CREW MANIFEST
John YoungCommander
Robert CrippenPilot
MANUFACTURER
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
FLIGHTS
135
SUCCESSES
133
SUCCESS RATE
98.5%

The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS). Five complete Space Shuttle orbiter vehicles were built and flown on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011.

When is the Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1 launch?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 1981 at 12:00 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for STS-1?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1 mission uses the Space Shuttle rocket, manufactured by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Space Shuttle has flown 135 times with a 98.5% success rate.
Where is the Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-1 going to?
The STS-1 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-1?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1 is operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-1 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 12, 1981 at 12:00 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 1 minute ago
Launch Library 21 minute ago
Launch ID: 038e9bee-75c0-4b8e-afe1-bf66a474c091
Open-Meteo Weather4 days ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6

Mission Profile

STS-1 was a Space Shuttle mission operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration that lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on April 12, 1981. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Space Shuttle program. The launch was a success.