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External tanks on space shuttles burn up upon re-entry due to their composition and the extreme heat generated by atmospheric friction. Made primarily of lightweight materials like aluminum, these tanks are not designed to withstand the intense temperatures and pressures experienced during re-entry. As they descend, the friction with the atmosphere generates temperatures that can exceed 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to the combustion of the tank's material. Ultimately, this results in the tanks disintegrating and burning up before reaching the Earth's surface.
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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 helium help space shuttles get into space?
Helium is used as a pressurizing agent in the fuel and oxidizer tanks of space shuttles. By regulating pressure during fuel consumption, helium ensures a steady flow of propellants to the engines, which is crucial for achieving the necessary thrust to lift the shuttle off the ground and into space.
How much does 1 Space Shuttle external tank cost?
According to a report on the SpaceRef web site linked below as 'Lockheed Martin Awarded External Tank Contract', NASA has a contract with Lockheed Martin, New Orleans, that totals $2.94 billion to build 17 external tanks through Sept. 2010. That comes out to be an average price of around $170 million per tank. However, the report mentioned above is about an addition to the external tank contract, so it may be a misprint and the 17 external tanks may be additional tanks added to take the contact to the end of the shuttle program. According to the reference linked below as 'The Assembly and Production of the External Tank', each tank costs about $55 million as of 1995. Later tanks, called the Super Light-Weight Tanks (SLWT) cost around $5 million more than the earlier version, the Light-Weight Tank. The SLWT costs more because they use an aluminum/lithium alloy that is more expensive and harder to work than earlier materials. By making the tank lighter, the shuttle is able to carry a heavier payload. This change allowed the shuttle to meet the payload requirements for construction of the International Space Station.
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.
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.
What do they plan for the future of space shuttles?
they want to have space ships that don't lose gas tanks
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.
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.
Why does a harley Davidson motorcycle have an external oil tank?
Increase circulation and oil cooling. Not all Harleys have external 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.
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.
How does helium help space shuttles get into space?
Helium is used as a pressurizing agent in the fuel and oxidizer tanks of space shuttles. By regulating pressure during fuel consumption, helium ensures a steady flow of propellants to the engines, which is crucial for achieving the necessary thrust to lift the shuttle off the ground and into space.
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
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.
