Scenarios about 'space shuttle'
The Space Shuttle was NASA's partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011, featuring a winged orbiter, external fuel tank, and solid rocket boosters. This pioneering vehicle enabled satellite deployment, space station construction, and scientific research while representing a significant shift toward reusable spacecraft design despite safety challenges highlighted by the Challenger and Columbia disasters. In alternate history scenarios, the Space Shuttle program often serves as a divergence point for different space exploration timelines or technological development paths.
What If Commercial Space Flight Developed Earlier?
Exploring the alternate timeline where private companies entered space travel decades before SpaceX and Blue Origin, fundamentally altering humanity's relationship with space exploration, technological development, and global economics.
What If The Challenger Disaster Never Happened?
Exploring the alternate timeline where the Space Shuttle Challenger didn't explode in 1986, potentially reshaping NASA's trajectory, public perception of spaceflight, and the entire course of human space exploration.
What If The Challenger Never Exploded?
Exploring the alternate timeline where Space Shuttle Challenger survived its January 1986 mission, potentially altering NASA's trajectory, public perception of spaceflight, and our progress in space exploration.
What If The Columbia Disaster Never Occurred?
Exploring the alternate timeline where Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew survived their February 2003 reentry, potentially altering the trajectory of NASA, manned spaceflight, and international space cooperation.
What If The Columbia Never Disintegrated?
Exploring the alternate timeline where Space Shuttle Columbia didn't break apart during re-entry in 2003, potentially altering NASA's trajectory, space exploration priorities, and the development of commercial spaceflight.
What If The Skylab Space Station Never Fell?
Exploring the alternate timeline where America's first space station Skylab was saved from orbital decay, potentially transforming space exploration and establishing a continuous American presence in orbit decades before the ISS.