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Why are fuel cells used on the space shuttle instead of batteries?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Two reasons:
- Weight. Batteries are heavier per energy unit than fuel cells.
- Capacity. Fuel cells can store much more energy than batteries.
As a bonus, the weight for the fuel cell fuel reduces the weight of another required consumable: water. The "exhaust" of fuel cells is pure water which astronauts can drink.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Why is liquid oxygen used in space shuttle engines?
Liquid Nitrogen is used in a Space Shuttle to cool down the Space Shuttle Main Engine's (SSME) Main Combustion Chamber (MCC) because the temperatures experienced during lift exceed 3,315 degrees Celcius or 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If Liquid Nitrogen was not used the SSME would warp in shape and melt.
Why used Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine nitrogen tetroxide in space shuttle?
Highest Isp for hypergolic (self igniting) bi-propellant combination.
Why is hydrogen important to society?
Hydrogen by itself is used sparingly in our 'society'. It was used during world war I to fly zeppelins. It also finds its use in nickel/Hydrogen batteries, which are the most powerful batteries known to man used on space exploration and the hubble space telescope. It also, of course, is required to form water (H2O)
The space shuttle's rocket boosters use hydrogen and oxygen which combine to form water as fuel The balanced chemical equation of this exothermic reaction is?
2H2 + O2 --> 2H2O
Why do potatoes get so hot?
When heated, the cell walls of the potato cells makes a space between cells. Potato starch and absorbs water.
Why can't we use dry cells or automobile batteries instead of solar batteries for satellites?
Dry cells and automobile batteries require a medium in order to transmit and receive the signals from outer space.
Why is nasa moving back to space rocket instead of space shuttle?
It is cheaper and more efficient.
Are there solar panels on the space shuttle?
The space shuttle does not use solar panels . Instead it uses Fuel cells that mix hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, heat and water. the shuttle could also use Auxiliary Power Units or APU to generate hydraulic power for the aerodynamic control surfaces (elevons, body flap, rudder...)
What is the name of the american space shuttle that goes into orbit?
There were 5. Space Shuttle Columbia (destroyed in 2003), Space Shuttle Challenger (destroyed in 1886), Space Shuttle Discovery, Space Shuttle Atlantis, and Space Shuttle Endeavour.
When was the first space shuttle invented?
The first space shuttle invented was the space shuttle enterprise.
What was the last space shuttle ever built?
Space Shuttle Endeavour was the final Space Shuttle built. It was built to replace Space Shuttle Challenger.
Why the space shuttle had to do with space?
The space shuttle went into space and studied outer space.
What was the 1st name of the space shuttle?
Of the first Space Shuttle; Enterprise. Of the first space worthy Space Shuttle; Columbia.
Which space shuttle exploded in 2003?
The Space Shuttle Columbia. It was the first shuttle to fly into space in 1981.
What was US's space shuttle called?
Space Shuttle.
The first space shuttle?
space shuttle Columbia
What was the second space shuttle?
Space Shuttle Challenger.
