How does a space shuttle fly in space?

Answer 1

It technically doesn't fly. The shuttle's burn rocket fuel. The ignition of the rocket fuel makes it expand. The shuttle's rockets are a little bit like a glass shape, with one end open. In theory the explosion of the rocket fuel creates a force trying to push out in all directions at the same time. The force of the explosion going towards the bottom (closed part) of the glass pushes against that to try to move it out of the way. The part of the force going towards the open part of the glass doesn't push against anything attached to the shuttle so it doesn't affect whether the shuttle moves or not.

Answer 2

It's bolted to the launch platform. 4 frangible (explosive) bolts which are detonated at the moment the solid rocket boosters are ignited, are on each of the 2 solid rocket boosters.. The strength of these bolts is shown by the fact that the orbiters 3 main engines, representing nearly 40 million horsepower, run for several seconds before the bolts are released.

The space shuttle, external fuel tank, and solid rocket boosters are mated in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center into what NASA calls "the stack". This stack is mounted atop the mobile launch platform which is transported to the launch pad via the crawler-transporter.

The orbiter and solid rocket boosters are also connected to the external fuel tank via similar bolts that are detonated during the appropriate time during the ascent.

Answer 3

Its just like a plane so the wings help turn space shuttle so it can land on a runway.

Like on an airplane, the wings on space shuttles also help with aerodynamics.

Answer 4

NASA has officially retired the space shuttle after 134 successful missions and 2 failed missions.

Answer 5

Like it has already been mentioned wings help space shuttle to be more manageable. But I assume they don`t work in outer space. The same thing they do for ordinary airplanes.