space shuttle

n.

1.

a reusable vehicle that can carry people or objects into orbit around the earth and return to be used again for subsequent trips; - distinguished from rockets that are used only once. The present (1997) American space shuttle is a manned vehicle, having an external fuel tank that is expendable and not re-used.

Noun

1.

space shuttle - a reusable spacecraft with wings for a controlled descent through the Earth's atmosphere

ballistic capsule, space vehicle, spacecraft