On 14 April 1981, Space Shuttle Columbia returned safely to Earth after completing the first orbital mission of NASA’s new reusable spacecraft programme.
Commanded by John Young and piloted by Robert Crippen, Columbia spent 2 days and 6 hours in space, orbiting the Earth 37 times.
Its successful flight and landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California marked the beginning of a new era in space travel, focused on reusability and extended mission capability.
