Welcome! You're reading about the fabulous simulator "Shuttle". This is a game that simulates the space shuttle, and is one of the most unique games in the world! Even though the game is not new, it is very realistic and gives you a taste of what it's really like to pilot the shuttle. This isn't a mere plane simulator; you can't just push a button and take off! All the procedures that you must follow are the same as the ones in the real shuttle! It takes twelve game hours to launch (fortunately, there is time compression, and you can get through this stage very quickly!) The cockpit graphics are great and very realistic! There are more than 2,050 buttons to push, and more than 50 screens in the cockpit! You can view the control panel in 5 different ways. The missions are based on missions flown in real life by the various space shuttles. The last mission of the game is the repair of the Hubble space telescope in 1994. In the game you also must test the MMU or RMS, among many other things. This simulator is very realistic, but you can no longer find it in stores because it was made in 1991. Here, you can download it! Have fun and good luck! You can see pictures of the game on this site:

Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administrator (NASA), the Space Shuttle is the world's first re-usable spacecraft designed to be launched in an upright position, transport cargo into near Earth Orbit (100-217 N.M.), and return to Earth, landing safely on a runway just like a conventional aircraft. At launch, thrust is provided by the two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) and the three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME's). After about two minutes, the SRB's separate from the External Tank (ET) and fall into the ocean to be recovered by specialist rescue teams. After about eight minutes, Main Engine Cut-off (MECO) occurs and, moments afterwards, the ET is also separated, thereafter falling into the ocean. In addition to the main engines there are two Orbital Maneuvering System engines (OMS) which give the Orbiter the final "kick" into orbit. The OMS is used to instigate major maneuvers while in orbit and also to perform the "de-orbit burn", which slows the Shuttle for re-entry. There is also a complex Reaction Control System (RCS), used to control the pitch, yaw, and roll of the vehicle outside of the atmosphere. On re-entry, the RCS is phased out in favor of the conventional elevator and rudder controls, as the Orbiter glides down to a safe landing.

There are two main launch sites: The Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Vanderburg Air Force Base in California. There are landing sites at both of these launch sites, as well as at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and White Sands, New Mexico. And, if worse comes to worse, there are emergency landing sites in numerous locations around the world, including Spain and Africa. From April 1981 through January 1986, 25 space shuttle launches were conducted. All four orbiters in the fleet (Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis) were flown. However, 1 minute and 13 seconds after liftoff, during the 25th launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, on January 28th, 1986, the Space Shuttle exploded! The Orbiter Challanger was destroyed and its crew of seven killed. The accident had a far-reaching impact on the Space Shuttle program. Launches were suspended for more than two years and recommendations of the Presidential Committee, which investigated the accident, were implemented, along with changes called for in the NASA organization itself.