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What parts of the space shuttle are reusable and which are not?
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/events/regimes/space.html The Orbiter and Rocket boosters are re-useable The External Fuel Tank is not.
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.
Where do the parts that detach from the space shuttle go?
The two white Solid Rocket Boosters land in the sea aided by drogue chutes, and are recovered by ships for return to their manufacturer to be prepared for re-use. The large External Fuel Tank burns up as it re-enters the atmosphere.
What part of the space shuttle is reused?
The Space Shuttle's orbiters were designed to be reused for multiple missions. After each flight, the orbiter would undergo refurbishment and upgrades to prepare for its next mission. The solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank were not reusable and were discarded after each launch.
Is a space shuttle a rocket?
The space shuttle is a reusable spacecraft. It has 3 main engines powered by liquid fuel which are used to launch it into orbit with help from similarly reusable solid fuel boosters (the white rockets along the side of the shuttle during launch). When returning after a mission, the space shuttle is unpowered and glides back for a landing. See related question.
What parts of the space shuttle are reusable and which are not?
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/events/regimes/space.html The Orbiter and Rocket boosters are re-useable The External Fuel Tank is not.
After rocket launch how do the rocket boosters and external tank be retrieved?
About three minutes into a Space Shuttle launch, the Solid Rocket Boosters are jettisoned and fall back to the Earth. Parachutes are used to slow the solid rocket boosters down so that they hit the water at a safe speed that won't cause any damage. Recovery ships from the Kennedy Space Center then sail to their location, pick up the boosters, and take them back to be refurbished and used again. About nine minutes into the flight, the external fuel tank is jettisoned. Because of the high altitude, there is no way to bring the external tank back to Earth intact. Instead, the external tank is allowed to re-enter the atmosphere, where it is burned up and destroyed over 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.
Where do the parts that detach from the space shuttle go?
The two white Solid Rocket Boosters land in the sea aided by drogue chutes, and are recovered by ships for return to their manufacturer to be prepared for re-use. The large External Fuel Tank burns up as it re-enters the atmosphere.
What is the last component to be lit at launch for a space shuttle?
The Solid Rocket Boosters ignite last.
What part of the space shuttle is reused?
The Space Shuttle's orbiters were designed to be reused for multiple missions. After each flight, the orbiter would undergo refurbishment and upgrades to prepare for its next mission. The solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank were not reusable and were discarded after each launch.
Is a space shuttle a rocket?
The space shuttle is a reusable spacecraft. It has 3 main engines powered by liquid fuel which are used to launch it into orbit with help from similarly reusable solid fuel boosters (the white rockets along the side of the shuttle during launch). When returning after a mission, the space shuttle is unpowered and glides back for a landing. See related question.
What is the part of a shuttle that uses solid fuel?
At launch, there are two solid rocket boosters on either side of the external fuel tank. They are the white rockets that are attached to the orange fuel tank.
Which rocket is used to launch the space shuttle?
Space shuttle generally launches itself with just a boost from two solid rocket boosters(SRBs) that are dropped soon after start. The element that gives the appearance of big rocket is actually an external fuel tank.
What happens to the rocket boosters afterwards?
After their fuel is depleted, rocket boosters detach from the main rocket and fall back to Earth. Some boosters are designed to be recovered and reused, while others may crash into the ocean or burn up in the atmosphere. Recycling and refurbishing boosters is becoming more common in the space industry to reduce costs and environmental impact.
What part of the space shuttle circles earth?
The space shuttle orbiter orbits the earth. The solid rocket boosters are jettisoned within the earth's atmosphere, around two minutes after launch and the External Fuel Tank is jettisoned once in space.
What is the total height of the space shuttle on the launch pad?
The space shuttle stands at 184 feet (56 meters) high, on top of a mounded pad.
