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Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

retiredReusable
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Specifications

Status
retired
Height
56.1 m
Diameter
8 m
Mass
2,030,000 kg
Stages
2
Payload to LEO
27,500 kg
First flight
1981-04-12
Total launches
135
Success / Fail
133 / 2

The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) was the first solid-propellant rocket to be used for primary propulsion on a vehicle used for human spaceflight. The two SRBs provided 85% of the Space Shuttle's thrust at liftoff and for the first two minutes of ascent. After burnout, they were jettisoned, and parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean, where they were recovered, examined, refurbished, and reused.

Payloads it launched · 248

PSSC-2
LEO
STS 135
LEO
STS 134
LEO
STS 133
LEO
STS 132
LEO
STS 131
LEO
STS 130
LEO
STS 129
LEO
STS 128
LEO
STS 127
LEO
DRAGONSAT
LEO
ANDE CASTOR SPHERE
LEO
ANDE POLLUX SPHERE
LEO
STS 125
LEO
STS 119
LEO
PSSC
LEO
STS 126
LEO
STS 124
LEO
STS 123
LEO
STS 122
LEO
STS 120
LEO
STS 118
LEO
STS 117
LEO
MARSCOM
LEO

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