WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Viewed from the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building, crowds wait in vain for the launch of the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle, “scrubbed” on April 10. Visible at center is the “V.I.P.” site, with waiting buses parked at lower right. Above are the NASA Complex 39 Press Site and viewing stands, and major news media facilities. The STS-1 mission, known as a shuttle systems test flight, will seek to demonstrate safe launch into orbit and safe return of the orbiter and crew and verify the combined performance of the entire shuttle vehicle -- orbiter, solid rocket boosters and external tank.