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The first space shuttle launched by the United States was Columbia, which lifted off on April 12, 1981. This mission, officially called STS-1, marked the beginning of the Space Shuttle program, a major milestone in human space exploration.

The shuttle Columbia was a reusable spacecraft designed to transport astronauts and equipment to space. The mission was piloted by John Young and Robert Crippen, and it demonstrated that a winged spacecraft could be launched like a rocket and return safely to Earth for reuse.

Key Facts about Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-1):

• Country: USA


• Launch Date: April 12, 1981


• Mission Name: STS-1


• Type: Reusable Space Shuttle


• Astronauts: John Young and Robert Crippen


• Significance: First launch of the US Space Shuttle program


• Landing: Edwards Air Force Base, California

Columbia’s successful mission paved the way for future shuttle missions, scientific experiments in space, and construction of the International Space Station. It remains a historic milestone in space exploration history.