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This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. As of 2006, only the United States has flown human spaceflight shuttle missions, in the Space Shuttle program, while the Soviet Union flew one unmanned flight of the ''Buran''.
Naming in the US Space Shuttle program The shuttle is officially referred to as the Space Transportation System (STS). Specific shuttle missions are therefore designated with the prefix "STS." Initially, the launches were given sequential numbers indicating order of launch, such as STS-9. Beginning in 1984, each mission was assigned a code, such as STS-41-B, with the first digit indicating the federal fiscal year offset into the program (so 41-B was scheduled for FY 1984, 51-L originally for FY 1985 and the third flight in FY 1995 would have been named 151-C), the second digit indicating the launch site (1 was Kennedy Space Center and 2 was Vandenberg Air Force Base, although Vandenberg was never used), and the letter indicating scheduling sequence. These codes were assigned when the launches were initially scheduled and were not changed as missions were delayed or rescheduled. After the ''Challenger'' disaster, a sequential numbering system was restored, with the number according to counting from the beginning, although, unlike the initial system, the assignment of numbers is based on the initial schedule and may not reflect launch order. The letter indicates that the intermediate numbering system applies, and e.g. flight STS-51 was many years after STS-51-A. On September 9th, 2006, STS-115 launched from Kennedy Space Center. STS-300 was the designation for the Space Shuttle rescue missions to be launched on short notice for STS-114 and STS-121. After STS-121, the rescue flight for STS-115, if needed, would be STS-301. After STS-115, the rescue mission designations will change again. They will then be based on the corresponding regular mission that would be replaced should the rescue mission be needed. For example, the STS-116 rescue mission will be branded STS-317 because the normal mission scheduled after STS-116 is STS-117. Should the rescue mission be needed, the crew and vehicle for STS-117 would assume the rescue mission profile and become STS-317. Flight statistics (as of September 21, 2006) † Satellites deployed ‡ This was flight STS-80, during November 1996. Other shuttles List of shuttle flights See also | ||||||||
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