Thirty years ago, the Space Shuttle era officially began as Columbia launched into Earth orbit with astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen aboard the test flight of a lifetime. Recall that historic first mission and trace the subsequent course of human spaceflight until the Shuttle era ends this year with a remarkable record of 135 missions.

The Ask An Expert lecture series at the National Mall building is presented every Wednesday at noon. A Museum staff member talks to the public about the history, collection, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum.