The space shuttle doesn't do much maneuvering in the outer layers of the Earth's atmosphere. Most of its maneuvering is done once it's passed through these layers due to the extreme temperatures experienced during this time.
Since the exosphere has no specific end, and it is almost into orbit, then yes. When a space shuttle reaches orbital velocity, it is going to fly past the exosphere. A space shuttle has never attained escape velocity that I know of. It is certainly capable, though. Also, a space shuttle can be flown in the exosphere without ever reaching orbit in some conditions. (i.e. if they launch at JFK in Florida and land at Edwards Air Base in California, because the earth moves counterclockwise. They could only be up there for a very short time, however.)
Satellites and the space shuttle orbit in the thermosphere, a layer of the Earth's atmosphere located between the mesosphere and exosphere. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach up to 2,500°C due to the absorption of solar radiation.
In the exosphere, a space shuttle uses thrusters to maneuver by controlling its attitude and orientation. These thrusters help adjust the spacecraft's position without relying on air or other external forces. The shuttle can change its trajectory by firing specific thrusters to push against the vacuum of space.
The exosphere is the top layer of the earth's atmosphere. It has a lower boundary of about 120 miles and a upper boundary of 120,000 miles (half-way to the moon). So the Space Shuttle spends almost all of its missions within the lower part of the Exosphere.
Exosphere
Yes. The space shuttle uses rockets in space to manuever.
the exosphere.
exosphere
Firstly, the lower boundary of the exosphere is 600km so the Space shuttle would have no need to be orbiting in the exosphere. Most of the time the space shuttle missions are to the ISS which orbits at a height of 370km. This is in the Thermosphere (approx 100km - 600km). The purpose of its thrusters are to aid in takeoff, docking with satellites, and reducing its speed to begin re-entry into earth's atmosphere.
Since the exosphere has no specific end, and it is almost into orbit, then yes. When a space shuttle reaches orbital velocity, it is going to fly past the exosphere. A space shuttle has never attained escape velocity that I know of. It is certainly capable, though. Also, a space shuttle can be flown in the exosphere without ever reaching orbit in some conditions. (i.e. if they launch at JFK in Florida and land at Edwards Air Base in California, because the earth moves counterclockwise. They could only be up there for a very short time, however.)
Satellites and the space shuttle orbit in the thermosphere, a layer of the Earth's atmosphere located between the mesosphere and exosphere. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach up to 2,500°C due to the absorption of solar radiation.
In the exosphere, a space shuttle uses thrusters to maneuver by controlling its attitude and orientation. These thrusters help adjust the spacecraft's position without relying on air or other external forces. The shuttle can change its trajectory by firing specific thrusters to push against the vacuum of space.
99.99% of the time they fly to the ISS The International Space Station
The exosphere is the top layer of the earth's atmosphere. It has a lower boundary of about 120 miles and a upper boundary of 120,000 miles (half-way to the moon). So the Space Shuttle spends almost all of its missions within the lower part of the Exosphere.
Exosphere
The space shuttle travels in the thermosphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere located between the mesosphere and the exosphere. This is where most space shuttles orbit Earth at altitudes ranging from around 80 to 600 kilometers.
Friction between the space shuttle and the atmosphere generates heat during reentry. The high speeds at which the shuttle travels cause air molecules to compress and heat up, leading to the fiery heat shield protecting the spacecraft.