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Jan. 5, 1972 President Richard Nixon orders the development of a reusable space shuttle that can take off like a rocket, orbit the Earth and land like an airplane. As approved, the program calls for a vehicle that is smaller and less expensive than initially envisioned April 12, 1981 The first shuttle, Columbia, is launched into space. The flight lasts slightly more than two days; its purpose is primarily to test the spacecraft's systems June 18, 1983 Sally Ride, traveling on Challenger, becomes the first American woman in space. The crew deploys two communications satellites |
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