Since NASA was founded in 1958, it's developed and executed a range of space missions initially using single-use rockets such as the Saturn V, Titan, and Atlas V. These successful but ultimately wasteful rockets gave way to a reusable craft that would eventually become known simply as the Space Shuttle, introduced in 1976. It became a beloved American icon, executing 135 missions between 1976 and 2011. However, NASA suffered a huge loss on January 28, 1986 as the Space Shuttle Challenger burst into flames after takeoff, taking the lives of all aboard and sending the nation into shock.
