First Space Shuttle Launch - 1981

In recognition of the final Space Shuttle mission in July 2011, here is the first Space Shuttle launch on April 12, 1981. Coverage of the Columbia launch is provided by CBS newsman Dan Rather and CBS News consultants Leo Krupp and Alan Bean. These clips were recorded off-air from WNAC-TV in Boston.
All rights are acknowledged.

[@airdriver]

Thirty years ago when I was a senior in high school my family got up on Sunday morning to watch this. As Columbia lifted off, we cheered loudly. As I watched the replays, I couldn't help thinking that this was the future. Now, tragically, its part of the past. It wasn't the politicians of either party that killed NASA, it was us. WE, as a nation lost our will, ridiculed those who dreamed, wasted time and accomplished nothing.

[@celery80green]

Thank you Thank you Thank you for showing the commercials at the end. Seriously, what a trip! Feels like 1981 was over a hundred years ago. Half of me wishes I could go back to that time.

[@dongibson8659]

When American inspired greatness.

[@arthurweems2839]

Thank you for the upload. I watched the launch on CBS. They had best view cause of the side shot at lift off. I remember that plus the screen flashing on and off. A day after my 10th Birthday in 1981. Just sad 22 years later, it along with her crew is no longer here. Very sad.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

Columbia...22 years later she would be gone..when you contrast this video which is full of excitement, pride (rightly so) and enthusiasm for this which would mark the start of a new era in space and then the video of columbia when she broke up on re-entry..it makes me sad to watch this.

[@EchoesDistant]

Thanks for the upload as I would not be born for another 54 weeks when this happened.

[@VintageTelevision]

Thanks! Processing video through a time-base corrector is important when digitizing old videocassettes.

[@Zoomer30]

I watched this live. Was just a week from my 10th birthday. The contrast of how we watched the last of the first flight of the STS (TV/Radio) vs how we will watch the launch of the SLS (TV/Radio/Tablet/Cell Phone/KZbin /Social Media) is funny.

[@gli7utubeo]

Alan Bean it is. Thanks for the great video!! Thumbs way up!

[@zellco321]

What Amazing coverage. Do you have more coverage from the Launch?

[@doginstine]

Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon.

[@wmbrown6]

The "CBS News Special Report" V/O was the late Bill Gilliand.

[@sulaco1975]

Amazing!!

[@CydoniaPhysGeekGirl]

I couldn't agree more. So sad. :(

[@chrislincoln6966]

I remember it well

[@nateman79]

if this doesn't make ya proud to be an american nothing will

[@kevinbush4300]

I'm not American, but this makes me wish I was!