Space Shuttle Columbia launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the program’s first mission 40 years ago on April 12, 1981. The two-day demonstration of the first reusable, piloted spacecraft validated the spacecraft’s ability to reach orbit and return safely return to Earth. Columbia landed safely on April 14, 1981 on Runway 23 on Rogers Dry Lake near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center (then NASA Dryden). Credit: NASA | Space Trends

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Space Shuttle Columbia Kicks Off New Era of Spaceflight 40 Years Ago. https://spacecoastdaily.com/2021/04/this-day-in-history-space-shuttle-columbia-kicks-off-new-era-of-spaceflight-40-years-ago/ (NASA's Kennedy Space Center Video) | Space Coast Daily

The untold story behind the devastating mission. The CNN Original Series Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight premieres Sunday, April 7 at 9p ET/PT on CNN. | CNN

The mission that changed space flight forever. The CNN Original Series Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight premieres Sunday, April 7 at 9p ET/PT on CNN. | CNN