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How is a space shuttle designed to overcome the pull of gravity?
At launch, the orbiter’s 3 main engines are fired (fueled by the external fuel tank) as well as the solid rocket boosters. Together they provide the shuttle with the millions of pounds of thrust to overcome the earth’s gravitational pull.
Why does a space shuttle orbit around the Earth?
The satellite stays in orbit because it still has momentum—energy it picked up from the rocket—pulling it in one direction. Earth’s gravity pulls it in another direction. This balance between gravity and momentum keeps the satellite orbiting around Earth.
What powers the space shuttle?
The main engines burn liquid hydrogen — the second coldest liquid on Earth at minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 252.8 degrees Celsius) — and liquid oxygen. The engines’ exhaust is primarily water vapor as the hydrogen and oxygen combine.
What technology was used to make a space shuttle?
Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME): Using hydrogen fuel and oxidizer, Rocketdyne, the engineâs designer, achieved one of the highest thrust to weight ratios by increasing fuel pump pressure in the combustion chamber.
How do astronauts control the space shuttle?
In the space shuttle, astronauts are strapped in on their backs a few hours before launch. As the main engines light, the whole vehicle rumbles and strains to lift off the launch pad. When the solid rocket motors burn out there is a big flash of light as they separate from the big fuel tank the shuttle is strapped to.
How does a space shuttle blast off?
T-Minus 6 Seconds: The command is relayed to initiate the space shuttle’s three main engines. T-Minus 0 Seconds: Solid rocket boosters are ignited as the bolts securing the shuttle to the ground are discharged, allowing the rocket launch to propel the spacecraft into the atmosphere.
How did the space shuttle generate power?
Fuel cells are used in the space shuttle as one component of the electrical power system. Three fuel cell power plants, through a chemical reaction, generate all of the electrical power for the vehicle from launch through landing rollout.
What is the space shuttle made of?
They are made up of what is called a porous silicon material that is very light and extremely heat resistant. There are two main types of tiles, one a black-coated tile called HRSI for High-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation tile.
What is shuttle technology?
Like the mini-load AS/RS, shuttle technology is a computer-controlled system that uses moving vehicles known as shuttles to put away, store and retrieve goods in a racking structure. Shuttle systems are designed to carry even lighter loads, typically limited to about 100 to 110 pounds.
What technology is used in space exploration?
Space technology includes space vehicles such as spacecraft, satellites, space stations and orbital launch vehicles; deep-space communication; in-space propulsion; and a wide variety of other technologies including support infrastructure equipment, and procedures.