KSC-81PC-0395
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A frustum from one of the two solid rocket boosters that helped launch Space Shuttle Columbia on her maiden voyage is recovered at sea on April 13, by one of the two recovery ships, UTC Freedom and UTC Liberty, specifically built for the purpose. The frustum, located just aft of the nose cone, contains the main parachute that lowers the expended rocket casing into the sea for recovery and reuse. Columbia was launched April 12 on mission STS-1, known as a shuttle systems test flight. The flight seeks 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.
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Details
NASA ID
81PC0395
Date Created
April 13, 1981
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration