The complex anatomy of the world's first reusable spacecraft

Space · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: It launched like a rocket, maneuvered like a spacecraft, and landed like an airplane. But beneath the surface of the Space Shuttle lay a sophisticated architecture of pressurized modules, specialized flight controls, and intricate living quarters designed to sustain human life in the vacuum of orbit.

The Space Shuttle orbiter functioned as both the brain and heart of the Space Transportation System. To manage the immense complexity of orbital flight, the flight deck alone featured more than 2,020 separate displays and controls. This interface was split into two functional zones: the left side for operating the orbiter itself, and the right side for managing payloads. The pilot/copilot arrangement allowed for a one-on-one emergency return, with seats positioned so the commander sat on the left and the pilot on the right.

Life aboard the orbiter was contained within a 65.8-cubic-meter pressurized crew module. This three-section compartment included a flight deck, a middeck for equipment and stowage, and an airlock. The middeck served as the crew's primary living and working area, housing four sleep stations, a dining table, and essential systems like waste management and hygiene stations. For mission-critical tasks, the airlock provided the gateway for extravehicular activity (EVA), containing two spacesuits and enough supplies for up to two six-hour payload spacewalks.

The vehicle's physical structure was equally specialized. The forward fuselage housed the pressurized crew module and nose gear, while the aft fuselage contained the main engines and maneuvering thrusters. The massive payload bay, featuring doors with a surface area of 1,600 square feet, allowed for the transport of heavy cargo. While the orbiter's dimensions—such as its 122-foot length and 78-foot wingspan—resembled a large aircraft like a DC-9, its ability to dock with modules via a transfer tunnel made it a unique bridge between Earth and space.

New footage from the Glenn Research Center offers a behind-the-scenes look at the first phases of missions STS-114, STS-117, and STS-124, providing engineers' commentary on the ground and orbital perspectives of these historic launches.

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