40 YEARS AGO: On April 12, 1981, Columbia, NASA's first fully functional space shuttle, launched on its inaugural flight. It flew a total of 27 missions over the course of two decades, until February 1, 2003, when it broke apart during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts on board. Today marks 40 years since its very first launch.🚀 | WPIX Archives

Launch of STS-1, the very first Space Shuttle mission in history. On April 12, 1981, Space Shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, marking the beginning of a new era where spacecraft could launch, orbit, and land like an airplane. This mission proved that the shuttle system — the orbiter, the boosters, and the massive external tank — could work safely together and carry astronauts to space and back. A true milestone that opened the door for more than 30 years of shuttle flights. C

Launch of STS-1, the very first Space Shuttle mission in history. On April 12, 1981, Space Shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, marking the beginning of a new era where spacecraft could launch, orbit, and land like an airplane. This mission proved that the shuttle system — the orbiter, the boosters, and the massive external tank — could work safely together and carry astronauts to space and back. A true milestone that opened the door for more than 30 years of shuttle flights. C