Sage-Tips

Why did the Space Shuttle use SRBs?

The Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) operated in parallel with the Space Shuttle Main Engines for the first two minutes of flight to provide the additional thrust needed for the Orbiter to escape the gravitational pull of the Earth.

Why did NASA use space shuttles?

First conceived during the heady and well-funded time around the initial Moon landings, the Space Shuttle was intended to provide NASA with a low-cost means to bring humans and payloads to low-Earth orbit.

What was the purpose of designing the space shuttles?

The primary intended use of the Space Shuttle was supporting the future space station, ferrying a minimum crew of four and about 20,000 pounds (9,100 kg) of cargo, and able to be rapidly turned around for future flights. Two designs emerged as front-runners.

What caused the space Challenger to explode?

At roughly the 73-second mark after launch, the right SRB triggered the rupture of the external fuel tank. Liquid hydrogen and oxygen ignited, and the explosion enveloped Challenger.

What is the main role that Canadian astronauts have on the shuttle missions?

In mid-1992, Chris Hadfield and Marc Garneau became the first Canadians to train as NASA mission specialists. Unlike payload specialists, whose primary role is to conduct scientific experiments, mission specialists are responsible for operating shuttle systems, including the Canadarm, and performing spacewalks.

What exactly is shuttle flow?

Ken Tenbush: Shuttle flow is taking that vehicle from the time that it has landed. Load the vehicle. Get it ready for flight. And then you basically a processing flow, from start to finish from that landing all they way on through to launch.

Why does the space shuttle throttle back?

The Space Shuttle would throttle the main (liquid-fueled) engines back to slow the acceleration at one point in the launch to allow it to get to higher altitude. The atmosphere thins rapidly as altitude increases so you control your speed in the lower part of the atmosphere and really build speed after it thins out.

What are some of the ways that space shuttles have benefited science?

Here are 15 ways the space station is benefiting life on Earth:

• Commercializing low-Earth orbit.
• Supporting water purification efforts worldwide.
• Growing high-quality protein crystals.
• Bringing space station ultrasound to the ends of the Earth.
• Improving eye surgery with space hardware.

What is the difference between the Space Shuttle and SLS boosters?

The major physical difference between the shuttle and SLS boosters is the addition of a fifth propellant segment to the four-segment shuttle booster, allowing NASA’s new launcher to lift more weight than the shuttle.

How many SRBs were recovered from the Space Shuttle program?

Out of 270 SRBs launched over the Shuttle program, all but four were recovered – those from STS-4 (due to a parachute malfunction) and STS-51-L ( Challenger disaster ). Over 5,000 parts were refurbished for reuse after each flight. The final set of SRBs that launched STS-135 included parts that flew on 59 previous missions, including STS-1.

How did the SRB lift the shuttle off the launch pad?

The two reusable SRBs provided the main thrust to lift the shuttle off the launch pad and up to an altitude of about 150,000 ft (28 mi; 46 km). While on the pad, the two SRBs carried the entire weight of the external tank and orbiter and transmitted the weight load through their structure to the mobile launch platform.

What are solid rocket boosters (SRBs)?

The Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) operate in parallel with the main engines for the first two minutes of flight to provide the additional thrust needed for the Orbiter to escape the gravitational pull of the Earth.