How to Sketch Space Shuttles in 7 Simple Steps

Your space shuttle can journey through the cosmos and explore distant planets. Use these detailed instructions to create your own interstellar scenes.

This guide will walk you through the process of drawing the featured space shuttle. You can either sketch it directly while viewing your computer screen or print this page for a more detailed view of each step.

Pay attention to the red lines in each image to know exactly what to draw at each stage. Previous steps are indicated in gray. We’ll provide a visual of each step followed by a description to guide your drawing.

Excited to begin? Head to the next page to start with the first step.

1. Sketch the Shuttle's Body

Draw the smooth, curved outline of the shuttle's main body. Add a curved triangle shape for the front wing and a wedge shape for the rear wing.

Turn to the next page to learn how to add the tail fin to your drawing.

2. Attach the Tail Fin

Sketch a tall, wedge-shaped tail fin at the rear of the shuttle. Add rectangular shapes on each wing and the tail fin. Outline the nearest wing and the tip of the shuttle’s nose to add dimension. Don’t forget to include a rounded nose cone.

In the next step, we will show you how to illustrate the cargo doors.

3. Add the Cargo Doors

Draw two curved rectangles to form the cargo bay doors and a hatch on the shuttle's nose. Add a rectangle for a hatch detail on the nearest wing.

In the following step, we’ll focus on adding the engine pods.

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4. Add the Engines

Sketch four rounded shapes toward the rear of the shuttle to represent the engine pods.

On the next page, we’ll add the cockpit windows to your shuttle drawing.

5. Add the Cockpit Windows

Draw rectangles to form the cockpit windows and add hatch details along the body. Include three narrow ovals on the hatch at the shuttle's nose.

Your shuttle is nearly ready for takeoff! On the next page, we’ll add flames to the engines.

6. Add Engine Fire

Draw line details on the wings, cargo bay doors, and fin. Add curved lines slightly beyond the shuttle to illustrate the engines. Place small circles on the engine pods, then draw wavy lines to represent fire coming out of the engines.

We’re nearly finished! Let’s complete the drawing on the next page.

7. Final Touches

­Outline the lines you wish to keep using a felt-tip pen. Then, erase any remaining pencil marks.

And there it is, your very own space shuttle. Keep practicing, and soon your sketches will become even easier!

Next, we’ll travel back in time! On the following page, you’ll learn how to draw a World War II plane.

Check out all our How to Draw articles for more fun projects!