space shuttle n 1: a reusable spacecraft with wings for a controlled descent through the Earth's atmosphere
space shuttle \space" shut`tle\, n. 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. [PJC]