The space shuttle Columbia, the world’s first reusable manned space vehicle, makes its first flight. It is flown by astronauts John W. Young and Navy Capt. Robert L. Crippen.
In a nighttime ceremony contrived to continue concealment of many of its features, the new B-21 bomber rolled out of Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif. plant Dec. 2. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the aircraft's advanced technology represents "deterrence, the American way."