We're pretty sure the first question that most of you will be asking is whether a space shuttle can be classified as a plane or not. Well, it does fly, doesn't it? So why can't it be a plane?

Before we go any further, let's get one thing clear. The speed of sound is 1,235 km/h, and the speed that this shuttle can travel at is 27,870 km/h. Here's the Space Shuttle Endeavour launch:

When you're travelling at such speeds, it's obvious your body will be put through a lot. Even something as simple as using the toilet in a Space Shuttle requires special training. Yes, this is because they are travelling through space. But still, this is the most complicated dump a person would ever take. Here, have a look:

Every single Space Shuttle launch till date has been made from the Kennedy Space Center. There are many weather criteria considered before launch too including temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, cloud cover, etc.

Here are 3 interesting facts about the NASA Space Shuttle:

1. Including all it's orbiters, the space shuttle has travelled a distance of 82,67,00,000 km. To put this in perspective, the Sun is 14,96,00,000 km from Earth 

Just listen to these rockets roar:

2. The heaviest Space Shutte, Columbia, weighed 80,740 kgs. It weighed so much because NASA didn't have lighter material to build it with. It's safe to say NASA managed to reduce the weight as time went on.

Wikimedia Commons

3. There have been multiple social media posts from space over the years. YouTube, Pinterest, FourSquare, and even Reddit have all been accessed from Space. But, Twitter won this race. In May 2009, Mike Massimino was the first person to send a tweet from space. 

From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!

Who better than the great Jeremy Clarkson to end this article with a hands on Space Shuttle rocket booster test. Enjoy:

Consider this; it would take you a little over an hour to travel around the whole world in a Space Shuttle. We spend that much time stuck in traffic on a regular basis, don't we?

Before you go, let's also talk about the record for the fastest speed ever achieved by a manned aircraft. The record is held by the X-15. How fast did it go? 7,274 km/h. Check it out here: