![[STS-1 Launch]](https://members.tripod.com/~spacefirst/sts1/sts1launch3.jpg)
Spacecraft: Columbia (OV-102)
Launch Pad: Pad 39-A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Payload: Development Flight Instrumentation Package (DFL); Aerodynamic Coefficient Identification Package (ACIP)
Launch: 7:00 am EST, April 12, 1981
Orbit: 37 orbits completed at an altitude of 166 miles
Mission Duration: 2 days, 6 hours, 20 minutes, 53 seconds
Distance: 1, 074, 567 miles
Landing: 10:20 am PST, April 14, 1981, at Edwards Air Force base, California
The primary mission objectives of the first space shuttle flights were to check out the overall shuttle system, accomplish a safe ascent into orbit, and return to Earth for a safe landing. All of these objectives were met successfully, and the shuttle's worthiness as a space vehicle was verified. The space shuttle became the world's first reusable space vehicle. The only payload carried on the mission was the DFI package which contained sensors and measuring devices to record orbiter performance and the stresses that occurred during the mission. The ACIP was also carried and deployed.
John W. Young, Commander
John Young was born in San Francisco on Sept. 24, 1930. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering with highest honors from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1952. He joined the Navy after graduation. He served on a destroyer for a year and then took flight training and was assigned to Fighter Squadron 103 for four years, flying Cougars and Crusaders. After training at the Navy Test Pilot School in 1959, he was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center for three years, setting time-to-climb records in a Phantom jet. He later was maintenance officer of Phantom Fighter Squadron 103. He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1976. NASA selected young to be an astronaut in 1962. He first flights came during the Gemini program, flying on Gemini 3 and 10. During the Apollo program, Young orbited the Moon on Apollo 10, and later walked on the lunar surface on Apollo 16. He later commanded two space shuttle flights, STS-1 and STS-9. Young is currently the Associate Director (Technical) at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Robert L. Crippen, Pilot
Robert Crippen was born in Beaumont, Texas, on September 11, 1937. He graduated from New Caney High School in Caney, Texas and received a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas in 1960. Crippen received his commission through the Navy's Aviation Officer Program at Pensacola, Florida, which he entered after graduation from the University of Texas. He continued his flight training at Whiting Field, Florida, and went from there to Chase Field in Beeville, Texas, where he received his wings. From June 1962 to November 1964, he was assigned to Fleet Squadron VA-72 --completing 2-1/2 years of duty as an attack pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE. He later attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and upon graduation, remained there as an instructor until his selection in October 1966, to the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program. Crippen was among the second group of aerospace research pilots to be assigned to the MOL Program. Crippen was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1969, and later flew on three space shuttle missions: STS-1, STS-41C, and STS-41G. He is currently employed by Thiokol Corp, Utah.
Click here: A view of Astronaut Robert Crippen weightless in space.
Click here: A view of the Earth from the flight deck of Columbia.
Click here: Astronaut Crippen busies himself aboard Columbia during STS - 1.
Click here: Landing of the space shuttle Columbia, ending the STS - 1 mission.
Click here: A view of the first ever space shuttle launch.
Click here: Another view of the launch of STS - 1
CLick here: Another view of the launch of Columbia.
Click here: The space shuttle Columbia sits on Pad 39-A the morning of launch.
Click here: Mission patch for STS -1, the first space shuttle mission.
Click here: A view of the payload bay of Columbia during STS - 1.
Click here: Astronaut John Young at the flight controls of Columbia during STS - 1.
Click here: Crew portrait of Astronauts Young and Crippen for STS-1.
![[Crippen/Young]](https://members.tripod.com/~spacefirst/sts1/youngcrippen.jpg)
