Why does Space Shuttle roll after takeoff?
Because the launch pad can’t pivot to the needed angle before liftoff, a shuttle must rotate after launch to adjust. Then the vehicle, which initially moves slightly faster than ISS because it starts off in a lower orbit, can “catch up” to the station and dock with it.
Why does a rocket not 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.
Why did the shuttle have a roll program?
To place the shuttle in a heads down position. Increasing the mass that can be carried into orbit (this was actually the initial reason – a 20\% payload increase due to more efficient aerodynamics and moment balancing between the boosters and main engines) Increasing the orbital altitude.
Why do rockets have wings?
Wings only provide lift perpendicular to the motion of an object, and they create drag—which is okay for airplanes flying horizontally (so lift is generated vertically). Rockets, however, are trying to get to space, and the most efficient way to do that is by heading straight up with as little drag as possible.
How many roll maneuvers did the Space Shuttle perform?
Towards the end of the program, the Shuttle performed two roll maneuvers during powered flight. The first, performed throughout the Shuttle program, and known as the “roll program” or “Single Axis Rotation”, was actually a multi axis maneuver that mainly served to set the launch azimuth.
Why do space shuttles roll to the top?
The antennas on the “top” of the shuttle needed to point down for local ground receivers to get the data. Also read that the Soviet Shuttle, Buran, did the same roll because they didn’t know why we did it, but they assumed something important required it and didn’t want to discover it the hard way.
What happened to the Space Shuttle Challenger’s crew?
The pieces—including the crew cabin—reached an altitude of some 65,000 feet before falling out of the sky into the Atlantic Ocean below. It’s likely that the Challenger’s crew survived the initial breakup of the shuttle but lost consciousness due to loss of cabin pressure and probably died due to oxygen deficiency pretty quickly.
How high was the Space Shuttle when it caught fire?
The space shuttle was engulfed in a cloud of fire just 73 seconds after liftoff, at an altitude of some 46,000 feet (14,000 meters).