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Unlike other forms of transportation, rockets are commonly designed for putting objects into orbit. Once in sufficiently high orbit, objects have almost negligible air drag, and the orbits decay so slowly that a satellite can be still orbiting decades after launch. For these reasons rocket and space propulsion efficiency is rarely measured in terms of distance per unit of fuel, but in terms of specific impulse which gives how much change in momentum (i.e. impulse) can be obtained from a unit of propellant.
However, to give a concrete example, NASA's space shuttle fires its engines for around 8.5 minutes, consuming 1,000 tons of solid propellant (containing 16% aluminium) and an additional 2,000,000 litres of liquid propellant (106,261 kg of liquid hydrogen fuel) to lift the 100,000 kg vehicle (including the 25,000 kg payload) to an altitude of 111 km and an orbital velocity of 30,000 km/h. With a specific energy of 31MJ per kg for aluminum and 143 MJ/kg for liquid hydrogen, this means that the vehicle consumes around 5 TJ of solid propellant and 15 TJ of hydrogen fuel.
Once in orbit at 200 km and around 7.8 km/s velocity, the orbiter requires no further fuel. At this altitude and velocity, the vehicle has a kinetic energy of about 3 TJ and a potential energy of roughly 200 GJ. Given the energy input of 20 TJ, the Space Shuttle is about 16% energy efficient at launching the orbiter and payload just 4% efficiency if the payload alone is considered.
If the Space Shuttle were used to transport people or freight from a point to another on the Earth, using the theoretical largest ground distance (antipodal) flight of 20,000 km, energy usage would be about 0.04 MJ/km/kg of payload.
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What is the plural for spacecraft?
The plural for spacecraft is spacecraft.
What is the singular possessive of the word spacecraft?
The possessive form of the singular, uncountable noun spacecraft is spacecraft's.Example: The spacecraft's crew arrived safely.
What is a spacecraft without people on board called?
A spacecraft without people on board is called an unmanned spacecraft or a robotic spacecraft. These types of spacecraft are operated remotely from Earth or operate autonomously.
What were some of the design constraints of the Apollo 11 mission?
When building the Apollo spacecraft, there were numerous limits to avoid. Firstly, the weight of the spacecraft had to be within a certain limit. If the equipment or spacecraft were too heavy, the Saturn V could not propel the spacecraft fast enough to reach the moon.
How much does a spaceship weigh?
The weight of a spaceship will vary depending on its size, design, and materials used in construction. Larger spacecraft that carry heavy payloads, such as crewed spacecraft or satellites, can weigh several tons to hundreds of tons. Smaller spacecraft, like cubesats, may only weigh a few kilograms.
How heavy is the average spacecraft?
295 kg (650 lb).
What is the plural for spacecraft?
The plural for spacecraft is spacecraft.
Is spacecraft singular or plural?
Spacecraft is both singular and plural. You can have one spacecraft or many spacecraft.
What is done to protect the astronauts inside the spacecraft?
The spacecraft in which astronuts live are made with such heavy metal and extra protection and air-tight so that they can live long in that. it has unbreakable windows and hard alluminium {alloy of copper,alluminium ,iron] body to protect them from small space particles.
What is the name of first spacecraft?
"The first rocket was the Sputnik...." Here we go again... NO It Wasn't! The first Spacecraft with a human to go into space was the Russian Satellite called 'Vostok', or 'Vostok 3KA'. 'Sputink', is the Russian word for 'Satellite', it was NOT the Name of the spacecraft. imagine if every Russian called 'Apollo 18' ... 'Satilite' with a heavy russian accent... DRrr Not. It Also was not the first spacecraft! the Russians launched a bunch of Dogs and crap up there first... there were many spacecrafts that went up before 'Vostok'.
What spacecraft asteroid 951?
The spacecraft that found asteroid951 was the Galileo Spacecraft..I think..
What is the singular possessive of the word spacecraft?
The possessive form of the singular, uncountable noun spacecraft is spacecraft's.Example: The spacecraft's crew arrived safely.
What is a spacecraft without people on board called?
A spacecraft without people on board is called an unmanned spacecraft or a robotic spacecraft. These types of spacecraft are operated remotely from Earth or operate autonomously.
What were some of the design constraints of the Apollo 11 mission?
When building the Apollo spacecraft, there were numerous limits to avoid. Firstly, the weight of the spacecraft had to be within a certain limit. If the equipment or spacecraft were too heavy, the Saturn V could not propel the spacecraft fast enough to reach the moon.
What is the name of a spacecraft?
the hubble spacecraft is one
How much does a spaceship weigh?
The weight of a spaceship will vary depending on its size, design, and materials used in construction. Larger spacecraft that carry heavy payloads, such as crewed spacecraft or satellites, can weigh several tons to hundreds of tons. Smaller spacecraft, like cubesats, may only weigh a few kilograms.
What is the name of the first spacecraft to map the planet Mercury?
The First spacecraft was the MESSENGER. The First spacecraft was the MESSENGER.
