What Space Payload Do Space Shuttles Have?

NASA's space shuttle program was formally launched on the 5th of January 1972 by then President, Richard Nixon. The space shuttle (or STS, the Space Transportation System) was the first reusable spacecraft of its type.

Its space payload can include:

• Between five and seven astronauts (though eight have been carried)
• Up to 22,700 kg of payload into low earth orbit

Its missions have included delivering apace payloads to various orbits, including service missions and crew rotations for the International Space Station. It can also recover satellites and other payloads from space. Once the assembly of International Space Station is completed, NASA's space shuttle will be retired in favour of a new space craft (the Orion) and new space payload capabilities.

View more information about space payloads.