Space Shuttle Endeavour

At a glance

Dates: From 1992.

Place: Los Angeles, United States.

Type: Space Shuttle orbiter and exhibit.

What came before

Part of: Space Shuttle program, space mission, and California Science Center.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

The Space Shuttle program needed a replacement orbiter after Challenger's loss in 1986. NASA ordered a fifth shuttle to maintain launch capacity and meet mission demands throughout the 1990s.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

NASA managed the Space Shuttle program and oversaw Endeavour's design and construction. Rockwell International built the orbiter at its facility in Palmdale, California.

TimelineAI-assisted

Endeavour's construction began in 1987 and was completed in 1991. The orbiter launched on its maiden mission, STS-49, on May 7, 1992, and flew its final mission, STS-134, on May 16, 2011.

What happened

History Endeavour rollout ceremony in April 1991 Endeavour as photographed from the International Space Station as it approached the station during STS-118 Endeavour appears to straddle the stratosphere and mesosphere in this 2010 photo taken from the International Space Station Following the loss of Challenger in 1986, NASA was authorized to begin the procurement process for a replacement orbiter. A major refit of the prototype orbiter Enterprise was looked at and rejected on cost grounds. Instead,

Space Shuttle Endeavour is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational Shuttle built. It embarked on its first mission, STS-49, in May 1992 and its 25th and final mission, STS-134, in May 2011. STS-134 was expected to be the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, but with the authorization of STS-135 by the United States Congress, Atlantis became the last shuttle to fly.