How NASA’s shuttle programme paved the way for a new era in space

A decade after its retirement, NASA’s iconic space shuttle programme is succeeded by burgeoning commercial space crew initiatives that have built on its legacy.

Ten years ago today, the Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down for the final time, signalling the end of an era for United States space agency NASA. The iconic orbiter that was synonymous with space travel had finally retired. Without another means of sending American astronauts into space, NASA turned to Russia to safely deliver its astronauts to the International Space Station and back. That partnership flourished for nearly a decade until NASA came up with a new plan: hire commercial companies to build spaceships capable of transporting its astronauts. In this new era of space travel, NASA would no longer build the vehicles, but would instead book rides on private spacecraft.