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What happens to and where does the external fuel tank go after a shuttle takes off?
The external tank is jettisoned from the Orbiter less than a minute after main engine cut off (MECO which occurs about eight minutes after launch). The tank does not enter or leave Earth orbit. It is maneuvered such that it's trajectory will take it to an unoccupied area of either the Pacific or Indian Oceans (depending upon the launch profile). The tank is made to roll end over end as it descends so that it increases the atmospheric friction and causes it to disintegrate prior to making contact with the ocean. NASA does warn inhabitants in the affected areas in case some debris does reach the Earth's surface.
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What is orange object on space shuttle?
The orange object on the space shuttle is the external fuel tank. It contains the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that are needed to fuel the shuttle's main engines during launch. Once the fuel is consumed, the tank is jettisoned and burns up in the atmosphere.
What falls off a space shuttle first?
Solid rocket booster followed by external fuel tank
What are the main parts of a space shuttle?
The main parts of a space shuttle include the orbiter, external fuel tank, solid rocket boosters, and main engines. The orbiter is the crew and cargo-carrying component that re-enters Earth's atmosphere, while the external fuel tank supplies fuel to the main engines. The solid rocket boosters provide additional thrust during liftoff.
What part of the space shuttle cannot be reused?
The external fuel tank of the space shuttle cannot be reused. It is a one-time use component that is jettisoned and burns up in the atmosphere upon reentry.
Which part of a space shuttle does not get reused?
The 2 solid fuel rockets are jettisoned prior to departing the atmosphere and parachute down. These are recovered from the sea and refurbrished for re-use. The large (orange) External Fuel Tank is not recovered. It stays with the Shuttle until it enters into space. So when it is jettisoned it burns up on re-entry.
What part of the shuttle detaches shortly after lift off?
external fuel tank
What happens to the fuel for space shuttle when flight is canceled?
After a scrub is announced, liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel is drained from the external fuel tank. Some is lost to boil-off but some is reused on the next launch attempt.
What is orange object on space shuttle?
The orange object on the space shuttle is the external fuel tank. It contains the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that are needed to fuel the shuttle's main engines during launch. Once the fuel is consumed, the tank is jettisoned and burns up in the atmosphere.
What falls off a space shuttle first?
Solid rocket booster followed by external fuel tank
What is the red thing that takes off with the space shuttle?
thats the fuel tank
What are the main parts of a space shuttle?
The main parts of a space shuttle include the orbiter, external fuel tank, solid rocket boosters, and main engines. The orbiter is the crew and cargo-carrying component that re-enters Earth's atmosphere, while the external fuel tank supplies fuel to the main engines. The solid rocket boosters provide additional thrust during liftoff.
What does the External Tank hold fuel for?
The rockets underneath the shuttle. The side rockets have solid fuel that essentially fuels a controlled explosion out of the nozzles.
Why does the total weight of the shuttle decrease during the first 20 seconds?
The total weight of the shuttle decreases during the first 20 seconds of flight because the shuttle is burning fuel, which is released as exhaust gases. As fuel is burned, the weight of the shuttle decreases due to the loss of mass from the system.
What part of the space shuttle cannot be reused?
The external fuel tank of the space shuttle cannot be reused. It is a one-time use component that is jettisoned and burns up in the atmosphere upon reentry.
Which part of a space shuttle does not get reused?
The 2 solid fuel rockets are jettisoned prior to departing the atmosphere and parachute down. These are recovered from the sea and refurbrished for re-use. The large (orange) External Fuel Tank is not recovered. It stays with the Shuttle until it enters into space. So when it is jettisoned it burns up on re-entry.
Why does NASA have to insulate the external fuel tanks of the space shuttle?
The fuel inside is super cool. The insulation slows the temps from raising too fast and the fuel evaporating
What are the external fuel tank dimensions for the space shuttle?
The external fuel tank of the space shuttle was approximately 154 feet long and 27.6 feet in diameter. It had a volume of about 528,000 gallons and could hold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for the shuttle's main engines during launch.
