Space shuttle missions Space shuttle missions The origins of NASA's space shuttle program date to the late '60s, with its first successful test flights in1981. Only two more shuttle flights remain before the program ends and the era of NASA's manned space flights comes to a close for the foreseeable future. Columbia It's hard to believe, but it's the 30th anniversary of the launch of the space shuttle Columbia First launched on April 12, 1981, it flew 28 missions and spent nearly 301 days in space. It was the first of the NASA orbiter fleet, and was lost over Texas in 2003, along with its crew. Challenger Challenger soared to great triumph and great tragedy. First launched on April 4, 1983, it flew 10 missions and spent just over 62 days in space. The first woman in space as well as the first African-American astronaut flew on Challenger.The Challenger was lost on January 28, 1986. Discovery First launched on August 30, 1984, Discovery has flown 39 miss