The Space Shuttle was a partially reusable launch system and orbital spacecraft operated by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for human spaceflight missions. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons. The first of four orbital test flights occurred in 1981 leading to operational flights beginning in 1982. It was used on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011 all launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Major missions included launching numerous satellites, interplanetary probes, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), conducting space science experiments, and constructing and servicing the International Space Station. Major components included the orbiters, recoverable boosters, external tanks, payloads, and supporting infrastructure. Five space-worthy orbiters were built; two were destroyed in mission accidents.
The Space Shuttle at launch consisted of the Orbiter Vehicle (OV), one external tank (ET), and two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). It was launched vertically like a conventional rocket with thrust from the two SRBs and three main engines. During launch, the external tank provided fuel for the orbiter's main engines. The SRBs and ET were jettisoned before the orbiter reached orbit. At the conclusion of the orbiter's space mission, it fired its thrusters to drop out of orbit and re-enter the lower atmosphere. The orbiter decelerated in the atmosphere before flying like a glider but with reaction control system thrusters before landing on a long runway.
William Alan Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, author and film director. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T. Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise, in the science fiction television series Star Trek from 1966 to 1969, Star Trek: The Animated Series from 1973 to 1974, and in seven of the subsequent Star Trek feature films from 1979 to 1994. He has written a series of books chronicling his experiences playing Captain Kirk and being a part of Star Trek, and has co-written several novels set in the Star Trek universe. He has also authored a series of science fiction novels called TekWar that were adapted for television.
Shatner also played the eponymous veteran police sergeant in T. J. Hooker from 1982 to 1986. Afterwards, he hosted the reality-based television series, Rescue 911 from 1989 to 1996, which won a People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Dramatic Series. He has since worked as a musician, author, producer, director and celebrity pitchman. From 2004 to 2008 he starred as attorney Denny Crane in the television dramas The Practice and its spin-off Boston Legal for which he won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Hey Mama
Whatcha doing in Seattle
With a needle
Shooting up into the sky
We quit smoking
On our way up from Portland
But we had to start again to get us by
No one knows which way it's gonna go
We just keep showing up
Never asking why
Not quite sure where we've been before
We just keep growing up
In order to survive
With Lisa
Getting to be vicious
You could see the damage blowing in her eyes
And Eric
Pretending not to see us
He's adding up statistics in his mind
To Vancouver
Where we had to cross the border
So we ditched our shit
Somewhere along the I-5
Were tired
Cause we spent the whole night wired
With Jane's Addiction
Blasting down the alpine
No one knows which way it's gonna go
We just keep showing up
Never asking why
Not quite sure where we've been before
We just keep growing up
In order to survive
Hey Mama
Whatcha doing in Seattle
With a needle
Shooting up into the sky
Just like yesterday
I'll never feel this way again
Just like yesterday
If I never see this face again
If I lose now will you find me
On the [Incomprehensible] 00.30
And I'm brain dead, I keep smiling
It's the action, oh I'm hiding
Just like yesterday
I'll never feel this way again
Just like yesterday
If I never see this face again
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
It's my last speech, I'm just dreaming
What I'm saying has no meaning
So check closely 'cause I'm reaching
The smugglers board is beaching
Just like yesterday
I'll never feel this way again
Just like yesterday
If I never see this face again
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
Love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
Love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
Love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I love you to pieces
I don't feel a thing
And that's alright with me
I'll just sit and rot away
And that's okay with me
Like a flower or a bird
Singing of all the beauty in the world
When you're high and watching someone die
Watching someone die
You remind me of a snake
But only when you smile
The hurricanes, the earth quakes
But only for a while
Like a flower or a bird
Singing of all the beauty in the world
When you're high and watching someone die
Watching someone die
Now I've got you burning
On a silver spoon
Now you've got me flying,
Flying to the moon
Now you've got me wishing,
Wishing I was you
There ain't no use in crying
What good would it do?
Sleep now, forget the day
Dream, baby, dream away
Now I've got you burning
On a silver spoon
Now you've got me flying,
Flying to the moon
Now you've got me wishing,
Wishing I was you
There ain't no use in crying