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Q: Why do External Tanks on space shuttles burn up when entering the atmosphere?
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Where does the space shuttles external fuel tanks land after being detached on lift off?

About nine minutes into the flight, the external fuel tank is jettisoned from the space shuttle orbiter. Because there is no viable way to bring the external tank back to the Earth intact, they are instead allowed to re-enter the atmosphere where they are destroyed. After re-entry, whatever is left of the fuel tanks land in the Indian ocean.


How do Space Shuttles Work?

Space shuttles work by utilizing three major components to reach their destination. There are two rocket boosters that are critical for the launch itself and the external fuel tank that carries enough fuel for the launch. The orbiter is the component that carries the astronauts and payload. The boosters are ignited to launch the shuttle and separate shortly after launch. When the orbiter reaches its optimum height, the external fuel tanks separate. The orbiter is then set for the orbital path it will follow around the earth. When the orbiter is ready to return to the earth it will use an engine retrofire to leave its orbit and descend to re-enter the earth's atmosphere where it will land.


Does the space shuttle reuse the liguid-fuel tanks?

No. The large orange External Tank or ET as it is called is jettisoned at about the 8 minute mark of the flight and burns up in the earths atmosphere during its reentry.


How does the Space Shuttle take off?

Space shuttles took of vertically, attached to an external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters (SRBs).A space shuttle takes off by burning fuel at very high temperatures and this provides lift. The rocket needs to carry extra tanks of fuel for it to provide the combustion for a reasonable amount of time until the shuttle gets into orbit.


How much fuel is needed for a space shuttle to takeoff?

The external tanks can contain up to 534,900 US gallons of propellant. The shuttle has two of these.

Related questions

Where does the space shuttles external fuel tanks land after being detached on lift off?

About nine minutes into the flight, the external fuel tank is jettisoned from the space shuttle orbiter. Because there is no viable way to bring the external tank back to the Earth intact, they are instead allowed to re-enter the atmosphere where they are destroyed. After re-entry, whatever is left of the fuel tanks land in the Indian ocean.


Were is the fuel stored in a liquid fuel rocket?

It is stored in two separate tanks. In the shuttle, the external tank(s) hold the two fuels as well as smaller tanks inside the shuttles wings.


How do Space Shuttles Work?

Space shuttles work by utilizing three major components to reach their destination. There are two rocket boosters that are critical for the launch itself and the external fuel tank that carries enough fuel for the launch. The orbiter is the component that carries the astronauts and payload. The boosters are ignited to launch the shuttle and separate shortly after launch. When the orbiter reaches its optimum height, the external fuel tanks separate. The orbiter is then set for the orbital path it will follow around the earth. When the orbiter is ready to return to the earth it will use an engine retrofire to leave its orbit and descend to re-enter the earth's atmosphere where it will land.


What are the tanks on the bottom of the P51 Mustang?

Those are external fuel tanks, which can be dropped from the plane in flight when they run out of fuel, increasing the aircraft's range. They are also usually dropped when entering a dogfight, in order to reduce weight and make the aircraft more aerodynamic.


What do they plan for the future of space shuttles?

they want to have space ships that don't lose gas tanks


Does the space shuttle reuse the liguid-fuel tanks?

No. The large orange External Tank or ET as it is called is jettisoned at about the 8 minute mark of the flight and burns up in the earths atmosphere during its reentry.


Why does a harley Davidson motorcycle have an external oil tank?

Increase circulation and oil cooling. Not all Harleys have external tanks


What are the containers used for powders for external uses?

Tanks, boxes, plastics, bottles etc.


What is it when the atmosphere gets thinner?

The atmosphere gets thinner the higher you climb, which is why oxygen tanks are used by climbers scaling Mount Everest.


What is really the space shuttle?

Contrary to popular belief, the Space Shuttle is the orbiter, external boosters and external tanks combined. The bit that actually goes into space is called the orbiter.


What has the author Robert W Fricke written?

Robert W. Fricke has written: 'STS-68 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Spaceborne experiments, Endeavour (Orbiter), Space shuttles, Performance tests, Space transportation sytem flights, Space transportation system, Space laboratories, Space missions, Get away specials (STS), Postflight analysis 'STS-40 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Space shuttles 'STS-63 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Spacecraft docking, Flyby missions, Space transportation system, Space transportation system flights, Spaceborne experiments 'STS-67 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Endeavour (Orbiter), Space shuttle payloads, Postmission analysis (Spacecraft), External tanks, Space shuttle main engine, Space transportation system, Space shuttle missions, Space shuttle boosters 'STS-47 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Space shuttles 'STS-54 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Space shuttles 'STS-61 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Anomalies, Earth orbits, Extravehicular activity, Fault detection, Hubble Space Telescope, Space maintenance, Space missions, Space shuttles, Space transportation system flights, Spaceborne experiments, Spacecraft maintenance, Spacecraftmaintenance 'STS-79 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Earth orbital rendezvous, Mir space station, Spacecraft docking, External tanks, Solid propellant rocket engines, Space shuttle main engine, Space transportation system flights, Space shuttle boosters 'STS-77 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): External tanks, Payloads, Endeavour (Orbiter), Space shuttles, Space programs, Booster rocket engines 'STS-52 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Space shuttles 'STS-37 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Space shuttles 'STS-46 space shuttle mission report' -- subject(s): Space shuttles


How does the Space Shuttle take off?

Space shuttles took of vertically, attached to an external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters (SRBs).A space shuttle takes off by burning fuel at very high temperatures and this provides lift. The rocket needs to carry extra tanks of fuel for it to provide the combustion for a reasonable amount of time until the shuttle gets into orbit.