Space Shuttle Patches 2001-2011

The final decade of the Space Shuttle program saw 34 flights. The first launch in 2001 was STS-98 on February 7. On February 1, 2003, tragedy struck the Space Shuttle program for the second time. Shuttle Columbia, the oldest orbiter in the fleet, disintegrated during re-entry. A piece of foam insulation from the fuel tank broke off during launch and smashed into Columbia's left wing, creating a hole. This hole allowed hot gases to get inside the wing, destabilizing the vehicle. The fleet was grounded for 2 and a half years. Flights resumed with STS-114 on July 26, 2005. In 2011, the space shuttle program came to an end with the final flight of Atlantis on July 8, 2011. The remaining shuttle orbiters were retired and are now on display at museums around the country. Discovery was sent to the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. Endeavour now rests at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California. Atlantis remains at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.