THE SPACE SHUTTLE

The Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle, or Space Transportation System (STS), is a reusable launch system and orbital spacecraft. The space shuttle was made to take astronauts and cargo to and from Earth orbit.

Solid rocket boosters Two white solid rocket boosters send out most of the thrust for the first two minutes of a shuttle launch. The solid rocket boosters are long and thin. Solid rocket boosters which generate nearly 6 million pounds of thrust; jettisoned 2 minutes into flight.

Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) Gewicht: 590 (88) t Lnge: 45 m Durchmesser: 4m Brenndauer: ca. 2 min Hhe: 45 km Geschw.: 5000 km/Std

External tank This large, orange fuel tank connects to the bottom of the orbiter for launch. External tank (154 feet) which stores nearly half million pounds of liquid oxygen and hydrogen.

Externer Tank

Orbiter
Orbiter is the home of the crew members during the space mission. Orbiter-can carry up to 7 astronauts and the payload in its 60-foot long cargo bay. The orbiter is the large, white space plane. It is the only part of the shuttle that goes into orbit.

Main Engine
Space shuttle main engine burns a combination of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fed from the space shuttle external tank. The combustion process takes place in two steps, firstly the fuel is burnt at high pressure and low temperature and then it is burned completely at high pressure and high temperature.