A Photo History of the Space Shuttle Program

The Launch
Formally introduced by President Nixon on Jan. 5, 1972, the shuttle program set out, in the words of the President, to develop "an entirely new type of space transportation system ... that would center on a space vehicle that can shuttle repeatedly from Earth to orbit and back." On the day of the announcement, NASA administrator James Fletcher, left, demonstrated a model of the Space Shuttle concept to the President.

• NASA's New Mars Rover 'Curiosity'