1.   However the shuttle is purpose-built to lift payloads into Earth orbit in a reusable manner.

2.   The shuttle was already no more than a streak of silver.

3.   What had to be sacrificed was time, since it would be years before the shuttle would be fully operational.

4.   As disposable multistage rockets launching tiny capsules provided the first generation of spacecraft, the shuttles are the second generation.

5.   Asleep when Discovery blasted off, Thomas was elated early Wednesday when he learned the shuttle was safely on its way.

6.   Aspen officials would like nothing more than to see their free shuttles be the sole mode of transportation here.

7.   At that point, the shuttle is ready for its encounter with Zarya.

8.   A US Airways spokesman said the airline must now begin its own evaluation of what the shuttle is worth.

9.   After the strike late Tuesday, engineers examined launch pad sensors and reviewed a record of electrical activity aboard Atlantis before concluding the shuttle was unharmed.

10.   All are within walking distance of the other, and boat shuttles will also be available.