This symposium will bring together an international group of scientists, technologists, engineers, mission designers, policy makers and students with an interest in learning from the significant contributions of the shuttle era and in exchanging ideas to promote future collaboration and continued leadership in space science and engineering. The symposium scope includes topics of the Shuttle Era-its history, technical and scientific achievements, the orbiter, propulsion, structures and thermal protection, system and mission flight operations, ground operations, current and future vehicle concepts and designs, astronaut safety provisions and two panel discussions focusing on “lessons learned” and international collaboration.