What is a Space Shuttle?

The U.S. space shuttle is a winged space plane desgned to transport humans into space and back. This 184-foot-long vessel acts like a spacecraft, but looks like a plane. It contains engines, rocket boosters, living and work quarters for up to eight crew members, and a cargo bay large enough to hold a bus. Plans for the first space shuttle began in 1969 at a time when NASA was designing a permanent station in space.
What are the Astronuats Qualifications for the Space Shuttle Program

Space shuttle pilot candidates must be between 5 feet 3 in. and 6 feet 3in., have uncorrected distance vision of 20/80 or better correctable to 20/20 for each eye; be in excellent physical condition; hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological or physical science, or math; and have atleast 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in a high-performance jet aircraft.
How does the Space Shuttle Go to and from Space?

The space shuttle is launched vertically using its own engies, aided by two attached rocket boosters. The boosters fall away from the shuttle about two minutes after launch and parachute into the ocean, where they are captured and brought back for re-use. Once in orbit, thre shuttle can use its own rocket motors to change direction. When it is ready to come back to Earth, the shuttle brakes with its engines. It delta-shaped wings facilitate its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and it glides in for a landing on a specially designed, 3-mile-long runway.
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