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The External Tank (ET) on the US Space Shuttle is what holds the fuel for the space shuttles main engines. The tank is the large rust colored structure under the belly of the Space Shuttle and between the two Solid-Rocket-Boosters. While the ET is the largest part of what lifts-off with the shuttle, it has no engines on it. It stand 153.8 feet tall, it's diameter is 27.6 feet wide, and weighs 1,680,000 pounds. It's liquid oxygen tank holds 19,541.66 cubic feet of oxygen, the liquid hydrogen tank holds 52,881.61 cubic feet of hydrogen.
The tank has been modified from its original design, it used to weigh 77,600 pounds, but now it weighs only 58,500 pounds. The original tank was painted white for thermal reasons, but that was proven unnecessary, not painting the tanks save about 600 pounds. The tank was modified into the Light-Weight Tank (LWT). The LWT was used on most off the Space Shuttle flights. A flaw in the design most likely led to the Columbia Disaster. The new design called the Super Light-Weight Tank is currently the model in use.
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What is the external tank used for on a space shuttle?
the external tank carries the fuel
What was the cause of the challenger expolsion?
The Challenger Explosion was caused by an external tank explosion. The space shuttle broke apart due to gasses mixing in the external fuel tank. The shuttle exploded and the space shuttle was torn apart.
What falls off a space shuttle first?
Solid rocket booster followed by external fuel tank
What is the definition of external tank?
it is space shuttle
What is orange object on space shuttle?
It is called the "External Tank", or ET for short. It holds the space shuttle's liquid hydrogen fuel, and it's oxidizer, liquid oxygen.
What is the space shuttle external tank made of?
The Space Shuttle External Tank is made primarily from Aluminum/Lithium alloys, AL-2090 and AL-2195.
What are the external fuel tank dimensions for the space shuttle?
Length-153 ft. 9.6 in. Diameter-27 ft. 7.2 in.
How does space shuttle work?
first the rocket boosters carry it into space then the external tank pushes the shuttle above earth then when the shuttle is ready the external tank falls off and the shuttle is ready for its mission then after its mission the shuttle lands and blows out a parachute come out from the back to help the shuttle slow down.any parts from the rocket or shuttle can be reused except the external tank.
How does a space shuttle work?
first the rocket boosters carry it into space then the external tank pushes the shuttle above earth then when the shuttle is ready the external tank falls off and the shuttle is ready for its mission then after its mission the shuttle lands and blows out a parachute come out from the back to help the shuttle slow down.any parts from the rocket or shuttle can be reused except the external tank.
Which part of a space shuttle orbits the Earth?
The external tank
How many liters of fuel can an ET on space shuttle discovery hold?
The Space Shuttle External Tank carries about 1,449,813 liters of liquid hydrogen fuel and about 541,314 liters of liquid oxygen as its oxidizer. In total, it carries about 1,991,127 liters of liquid propellant for the Space Shuttle Main Engines.
What are the main parts of a space shuttle?
the shuttle system has three parts: the orbiter(or space shuttle), external tank, and two solid rocket boosetsr
