Workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are seen preparing the Space Shuttle Columbia for its first mission, STS-1, the inaugural flight of the Space Shuttle program. Filmed six months before the historic launch in April 1981, this archival footage captures engineers installing the forward reaction control system (RCS) pod and conducting final preparations to ensure Columbia was mission-ready. Video recorded October 1, 1980.

STS-1 marked a major milestone in space exploration, as it was the first orbital test flight of the Space Shuttle and paved the way for decades of human spaceflight.

Video courtesy NASA/National Archives

Columbia STS-1 Astronaut Crew:
Commander: John Young
Pilot: Robert Crippen

Shuttlesource is a video archive containing historical footage from the space shuttle program. It features rare and exclusive videos sourced from both private collections, NASA, and the U.S. National Archives.

The archive spans the program from 1979 to 2011, covering all major events in the program along with footage of every shuttle mission. It offers an extensive view of launches, landings, astronaut training, press briefings, mission operations, orbiter preparations, and news coverage.

The importance of Shuttlesource extends beyond preserving the historical record of the space shuttle program; it also serves as a vital resource for inspiring a new generation of space enthusiasts. We extend our gratitude to all who have contributed to making this archive possible.

You can help preserve history by contributing rare videos. Shuttlesource accepts all formats, including audio cassettes and VHS tapes. Your contributions will help enrich this archive, ensuring that these valuable moments are not lost to time and can continue to inspire future generations.

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