Space Shuttle Columbia STS-1

A while back, I came across a scrapbook I made when I was in Junior High, and a fan of NASA and the space shuttle program. I had cut out newspaper articles from the Houston Chronicle about the space shuttle Columbia's first flight (STS-1). It was April of 1981, during the Cold War, and it was exciting to have the first reusable manned spacecraft fly successfully.

Now, with the Columbia's unfortunate end in mind, I thought I would honor the Space Shuttle Program by scanning my scrapbook and posting it here.

Keep in mind that this was a scrapbook made by a 13 year old to remember this event, and not a comprehensive catalog. I scanned each page as it appears in my book. If you are looking for a complete study, try the book Columbia: First Flight of the Space Shuttle

¤ Scan 1 - April 10, 1981 - A picture of Shuttle Astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen.

¤ Scan 2 - April 10, 1981 - "Launch of space shuttle scratched, reset Sunday" , The lead story about why the shuttle mission was delayed.

¤ Scan 3 - April 10, 1981 - Continuation of story on Page 2 and a picture of Flight Director Gene Krantz and Mission Control Director Christopher Kraft at NASA.

¤ Scan 4 - April 10, 1981 - A picture of Columbia as it sits on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, FL.

¤ Scan 5 - April 11, 1981 - Part 1 of the article "NASA searches for source of shuttle computer malfunction"

¤ Scan 6 - April 11, 1981 - Part 2 of the story about the computer malfunction.

¤ Scan 7 - April 12, 1981 - Part 1 of the article "Shuttle snafu alleviated" (part 2 is nowhere to be found....sorry).

¤ Scan 8 - April 12, 1981 - Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off! (picture)

¤ Scan 9 - April 12, 1981 - Part 2 of the article "Columbia space shuttle is sailing like a 'champ'" (part 1 is missing...sorry). Also, "Shuttle to be visible over parts of Texas".

¤ Scan 10 - April 13, 1981 - A picture of Shuttle Commander John Young working in the shuttle. Also, a picture of missing heat-reflecting tiles on the shuttle. See also Scan 10b

¤ Scan 11 - April 13, 1981 - Artilce "Photos of shuttle show bottom tiles undamaged".

¤ Scan 12 - April 14, 1981 - Cover story "Historic shuttle flight ends"....part 1.

¤ Scan 13 - April 14, 1981 - A picture of the Soviet trawler Ekwator following the NASA ship who recovered the reusable boosters.

¤ Page 14 - April 14, 1981 - Part 2 of the cover story.

¤ Scan 15 - April 14, 1981 - A picture of John Young and Robert Crippen floating weightless.

¤ Scan 16 - April 15, 1981 - Cover story "Shuttle success gives U.S. 10-year lead over Soviets". (remember the Cold War?) ...part 1 (part 2 on page 20)

¤ Scan 17 - April 15, 1981 - A picture of the space shuttle landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

¤ Scan 18 - April 15 1981 - Article "Shuttle's military role is secondary, Weinberger says".

¤ Scan 19 - April 15, 1981 - A picture of the astronauts and their wives at Ellington AFB.

¤ Scan 20 - April 15, 1981 - Articles "Space mission wins world's cheers", part 2 of the "10-year lead over Soviets" article, and "Some firsts for the shuttle".

¤ Scan 21 - April 15, 1981 - Article "Shuttle euphoria may be short".

¤ Scan 22 - April 15, 1981 - Article "New era: Cost may not be so restrictive to space operations".

¤ Scan 23 - April 15, 1981 - Article "'Infinitely smarter' space officials welcome home Columbia crew" (conclusion on page 24).

¤ Scan 24 - April 15, 1981 - Conclusion to above article and a picture of Robert Crippen with kids near his Clear Lake home.

¤ Scan 25 - April 15, 1981 - Article "Space shuttle's new technology holds out promise of more earthly advances".

¤ Scan 26 - April 15, 1981 - Picture of workers inspecting shuttle and the article "Future space shuttle flights to study effect of weightlessness on humans".

¤ Scan 27 - April 16, 1981 - Article "NASA officials are puzzled over remarks by astronaut".

¤ Scan 28 - April 16, 1981 - Picture of the open cargo bay during flight. Also, a cute story "Boy wants shuttle model".

DVD : The IMAX Space Collection (Hail Columbia/The Dream Is Alive/Blue Planet/Destiny in Space/Mission to Mir)	Space Shuttle: The First 20 Years -- The Astronauts' Experiences in Their Own Words	Columbia: First Flight of the Space Shuttle	Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System: The First 100 Missions

Related Links