The Space Shuttle Program was a NASA initiative that operated from 1981 to 2011. It aimed to transport astronauts and cargo to and from low Earth orbit, facilitating missions to the International Space Station and deploying satellites. The program featured reusable spacecraft, which allowed for multiple flights, making space travel more cost-effective. The program included five orbiters: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Over its 30-year history, the Space Shuttle completed 135 missions, contributing significantly to scientific research and international cooperation in space exploration. The program concluded with the final flight of Atlantis in July 2011.