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A space shuttle slowdown on reentry is one of the biggest achievements of Aerospace Engineering. What happens is when shuttle comes in contact with earth's atmosphere then because of friction with air particles it gets too hot below its surface (because of which Columbia disaster happens) this heat gives a very large amount of energy to shuttle which should be removed to slow it down from almost 26000Kmph to 200-300 kph and this is done by 5 supercomputers on board of shuttle with almost no involvement of humans accepted.
What they do is that they tilt the shuttle on its middle axis pointing towards outer end of the wing so that air can easily flow through other wing to cool it down but strictly direction of landing path is not changed (because this may cause sever damage to shuttle at this speed) this is done to cool down the shuttle before touching the ground.
This process is repeated many times on both of the wings to cool down the shuttle, at the end when shuttle looses max of its potential ,kinetic and thermal energy the shuttle becomes an airplane type and all the controls is transferred to the pilot for save landing on airport.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe maneuvering engines are used to slow the orbiters momentum. Gravity then degrades the orbit and the shuttle begins falling back to Earth. Those maneuvering engines are also used to adjust the trajectory as it reenters the Earth's atmosphere.
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How do space shuttles slow down when re entering earths atmoshpere?
Drag from air is the main thing that slows down the space shuttle on reentry.
How does a space shuttle slow down?
Reverse thrusters. They create an opposite force to the shuttles movement, to slow it down. (I think)
Why does the space shuttle have high speed in the atmosphere?
The shuttle uses the atmosphere to slow itself down from orbital speed.
What would a parachute slow down a space shuttle on landing?
Yes, which is why they use one.
Why does the space shuttle flip when in flight?
The shuttle is traveling at a tremendous speed. In order to come out of orbit, the shuttle must slow down. When flipped backwards, the shuttle fires it's engines to slow down and enter the atmosphere. The shuttle begins to be slowed down by the atmosphere as it flips to a forward position for a proper landing.
How do space shuttles slow down when re entering earths atmoshpere?
Drag from air is the main thing that slows down the space shuttle on reentry.
Why does the space shuttle have to orbit the earth before it lands?
To slow itself down using the earth's atmosphere and align itself for reentry. Also probably to calculate re-entry tragectories.
How does a space shuttle slow down?
Reverse thrusters. They create an opposite force to the shuttles movement, to slow it down. (I think)
Why does the space shuttle have high speed in the atmosphere?
The shuttle uses the atmosphere to slow itself down from orbital speed.
What would a parachute slow down a space shuttle on landing?
Yes, which is why they use one.
Will a space shuttle speed up or slow down when it fires its engines when facing backwards?
If it is facing in the opposite direction of travel it will slow down.
Why does the space shuttle flip when in flight?
The shuttle is traveling at a tremendous speed. In order to come out of orbit, the shuttle must slow down. When flipped backwards, the shuttle fires it's engines to slow down and enter the atmosphere. The shuttle begins to be slowed down by the atmosphere as it flips to a forward position for a proper landing.
How Spaceships or Rockets apply brake in Space?
an upthrust is created by the shuttle wch makes the shuttle go in the diraction opposite to the direction of landing and thus makes the shuttle slow down its speed and shuttle lands
How long before docking to the iss does the space shuttle have to start slowing down to make a safe docking?
During launch the space shuttle speeds up to 17500 MPH. In orbit the space station is going about the same speed. So the shuttle does not have to slow down much. At docking the relative speed of the ISS and shuttle is about 1-2 inchs per second.
How do space shuttles get payload back to earth?
When the space shuttle goes through the atmosphere, the space shuttle can then by itself land safely because no fuel will be needed. You can use the atmosphere of the earth to slow the space shuttle down allowing it land safely with the payload. The payload will still be on the space shuttle because it won't be removed, only the equipment will be removed from the space shuttle. The shuttle has to do no work whatsoever when bringing it back to earth because it won't be needing fuel when landing on earth.
How does a space shuttel land on earth?
The Space Shuttle lands like a plane. First the space shuttle gets its landing trajectory and what AFB or Air Force Base to land at. The Space Shuttle can land at Cape Cod in Florida or at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The Space Shuttle then loops around the earth a few times and then turns around to face forward. Then the Space Shuttle goes into a De-Orbit Burn this is the approach to earth the Space Shuttle faces up ward at 60 degrees so the heat shield is facing down. The Space Shuttle is now flying at Mach 26 or 100,000 mph. Soon the Shuttle re enters the atmosphere producing the loud Double Boom while the shuttle flies over the pacific the US can often hear it. Soon the shuttle applies air brakes to slow down to Mach 2.5 or 2,500 mph. Then comes the next stage of approach the Shuttles Computers are shut down for landing as the Pilot lines up the Shuttle for the run way which is 22 at Edwards and 0 at Cape Cod the Shuttle makes one more Double Boom. Soon the Shuttle fly at the speed of a jet. Last comes the final landing the copilot calls out altitude and speed as the space Shuttle lines up jet escorts help the Shuttle land soon at about 2,000 ft the gear gets dropped down and the Space Shuttle lands at 250mph to slow down the Shuttle apply brakes a parachute and Air Brakes to stop on the Run Way steps help the Astronauts get out of the Shuttle. If the Shuttle lands at Edwards a modified Boeing 747 flys the Shuttle back to Florida.
How fast does a space shuttle move in space?
Space shuttles use the gravitational pull from planets to propel/ sling the shuttle with speeds of up to 14 miles per second. Due to the lack of friction, moving objects take longer to slow down and accelerate quicker.
