Corvante History of the Space Shuttles By osborne1 Sep 1, 1969 First Space Shuttle launched to the space Period: Sep 1, 1969 to May 16, 2011 History of the Space Shuttle Jan 5, 1972 President Nixon annouced that NASA would develop a reusable Sep 17, 1976 Sept.17,1976 Oribter spaceraft, Enterprise, was rolled out. Jan 1, 1981 Shuttle Orbiter was launched space transportation system (STS) Jan 1, 1985 Enterpise was ferried from Kenndy Space Center to Washington D.C, and became property of Smithsonian Institution. Jan 28, 1986 The space shuttle Challenger exploded in January 28, 1986. Sep 29, 1988 Discovery lifts off it's platform on Septemember 29, 1988 Jan 1, 1992 Space Shuttle Book were published Feb 1, 2003 Coloumbia desrtoyed during re-entry Febuary 1, 2003 Jan 1, 2006 Discovery losted foam from it's external fuel tank May 16, 2011 The Endeavor will be launched on May 16, 2011.