Sage-Tips

How are space shuttles heated?

The compression of the air layers near the leading edges of the shuttle is quick, causing the temperature of the air to rise to as high as 3000 degrees Fahrenheit! Being in contact with the shuttle, it heats the shuttle’s surface. Friction also creates heat as the air molecules rub across the shuttle’s surface.

How are space shuttles insulated?

Much of the shuttle was covered with LI-900 silica tiles, made from essentially very pure quartz sand. The insulation prevented heat transfer to the underlying orbiter aluminium skin and structure. These tiles were such poor heat conductors that one could hold one by the edges while it was still red hot.

Does hydraulic fluid prevent freezing?

Hydraulic fluid freezing point is -10° F, below which renders the fluid unusable. Even when temperatures are above the freezing point, the viscosity of the oil can increase in thickness, making it harder to use.

What is the heat shield on space shuttle made of?

Heat shields of re-entry space vehicles such as the space shuttle orbiter are made using carbon–carbon composite. This material is used in the nose cone and leading edges of the orbiter where the temperature reaches 1600 °C during re-entry.

What happens when space shuttle enters atmosphere?

When an object enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it experiences a few forces, including gravity and drag. Although it causes drag, it also causes intense heat. Specifically, shuttles faced intense temperatures of about 3000 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1649 degrees Celsius) [source: Hammond].

What does it feel like to re enter Earth?

Your balance system is turned upside down, and you feel very dizzy. When you stand up for the first time, you feel about five times heavier than you expect. All of this can be unsettling, and nausea is not unusual. After a long-duration flight of six or more months, the symptoms are somewhat more intense.

Why is a space suit insulated?

NASA’s radiant barrier insulation was designed to protect astronauts from temperature extremes when working on the surface of the Moon, deflecting solar radiation and retaining body heat. The insulation was in the spacesuit worn by astronaut James B. Irwin, lunar module pilot, during Apollo 15 extravehicular activity.

What low temperatures does a space shuttle have to withstand?

Reusable Surface Insulation White parts of the shuttle have low-temperature reusable surface insulation (LRSI) and can only withstand lower temperatures, up to 649 degrees Celsius (1,200 degrees Fahrenheit).

What is freeze protection?

Freeze protection measures prevent damage to the system due to the expansion of freezing transfer fluid. This approach is common in climates where freezing temperatures do not occur often, but is somewhat unreliable since the operator can forget to drain the system.

Which oil does not freeze in winter?

Coconut oil freezes in winter but mustard oil does not do so at atmospheric pressure. What could be – Brainly.in.

Why is the bottom of a space shuttle Black?

The tiles exposed to reentry temperatures of up to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit, such as those on portions of the belly, are given a protective coating of black glass. Black tiles work by reflecting about 90 percent of the heat they’re exposed to back into the atmosphere, while the tiles’ interior absorbs the rest.

What do heat shields do?

Heat shields protect structures from extreme temperatures and thermal gradients by two primary mechanisms. Thermal insulation and radiative cooling, which respectively isolate the underlying structure from high external surface temperatures, while emitting heat outwards through thermal radiation.

How did the Space Shuttle take off?

The space shuttle took off like a rocket. The solid rocket boosters and the main engines on the orbiter provided the thrust, or push, for launch. The solid rocket boosters burned for about two minutes. Then the boosters dropped from the shuttle and fell into the ocean.

How long do the main engines of the Space Shuttle last?

The main engines continue to operate for 8.5 minutes after launch, the duration of the Shuttle’s powered flight. Image left: The Space Shuttle Main Engines provide part of the thrust that sends the Shuttle into orbit. Click image to play video of engines firing on launch (no audio). Photo credit: NASA

What is the temperature of a Space Shuttle engine?

Temperatures in the main engine combustion chamber can reach as high as 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit (3,315.6 degrees Celsius). Image right: Space Shuttle Main Engines being installed on Discovery at the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Can hydhydraulic systems be maintained in space?

Hydraulic systems are vital for space shuttles but the challenges of maintaining a hydraulic system in a zero gravity space station environment have yet to be solved. Temperature variations in space make it near impossible to maintain a constant fluid state in hydraulic systems.