After the success of Apollo, NASA faced steep budget cuts. A reusable, cost-effective spacecraft was needed to restore the United States’ access to space. Thus, the Space Shuttle was born. Discovery, Atlantis, Columbia, Endeavour, and Challenger flew 135 missions over the program’s 30 years of service. Shuttle enabled NASA to launch satellites and telescopes and assemble the International Space Station, establishing a permanent human presence in Low-Earth orbit. Laying the foundation for future deep-space exploration, sustained lunar return, and the journey to Mars.