Table of Contents
Does a space shuttle have engines to land?
The three Space Shuttle Main Engines, in conjunction with the Solid Rocket Boosters, provide the thrust to lift the Orbiter off the ground for the initial ascent. The main engines continue to operate for 8.5 minutes after launch, the duration of the Shuttle’s powered flight.
Why didn’t the space shuttle have an escape system?
Cabin ejection was not pursued for several reasons: Major modifications required to shuttle, likely taking several years. During much of the period, the vehicle would be unavailable. Cabin ejection systems are heavy, thus incurring a significant payload penalty.
Did the space shuttle have jet engines?
With five jet engines mounted in pods on the underside and a tank of jet fuel in the payload bay, the Orbiter would have a ferry range of only 500 miles. With Space Shuttle sites across the nation and contingency fields overseas, a 500 mile range was unworkable.
How does the Space Shuttle land without engines?
A glider is a special kind of aircraft that has no engine. In flight, a glider has three forces acting on it as compared to the four forces that act on a powered aircraft. Both types of aircraft are subjected to the forces of lift, drag, and weight. The Space Shuttle flies as a glider during reentry and landing.
Why don t rockets go straight up?
Rockets have to tilt to the side as they travel into the sky in order to reach orbit, or a circular path of motion around the Earth. This steering technique is known as a gravity turn, which uses Earth’s gravity to help conserve rocket fuel and minimize stress and strain on the spacecraft.
What kind of fuel did the Space Shuttle use?
liquid hydrogen
The Space Shuttle’s large External Tank is loaded with more than 500,000 gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are mixed and burned together to form the fuel for the orbiter’s three main rocket engines.
How do shuttles land in space?
Shuttle flight path for landing When the orbiter is 2,000 ft (610 m) above the ground, the commander pulls up the nose to slow the rate of descent. The pilot deploys the landing gear and the orbiter touches down. The commander brakes the orbiter and the speed brake on the vertical tail opens up.
How reliable are the engines of the Space Shuttle?
Throughout its more than 20 years in use, the main engines have proved highly reliable, and have never resulted in a scrubbed Shuttle mission. Avionics and flight controls:
Why did the Space Shuttle need so much software?
The Shuttle was the most complex flying machine ever built and required sophisticated software to ensure a successful operation. Due to the unstable aerodynamic nature of the orbiter, constant computer aid would be needed to assist with rudimentary flight tasks and the safe operation of the Space Shuttle.
What is the space transportation system (SSME)?
Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME): The Space Transportation System includes the orbiter, which is what people usually think of as the Space Shuttle, connected to a large external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters.