First Fleet began more than 30 years ago with the launch of the first Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981. With special access to photograph the Shuttle operations at the Kennedy Space Center, John Chakeres began his multi-year project photographing the five original space shuttles. The images in First Fleet are a never-before-seen look at the sensational launch and landing operations of the space shuttles. In addition the photographs Chakeres managed to capture represent a technical achievement as the photographer invented a special remote trigger device in order to properly capture the action from a safe distance.