“6_2_9_2.TXT” (11989 bytes) was created on 02-21-89<\/p>\n
SPACE SHUTTLE STATISTICS<\/p>\n
N A S A
\nEDUCATIONAL BRIEFS For The Classroom<\/p>\n
The Space Shuttle is NASA’s first true aerospace vehicle. It takes off
\nlike a rocket, operate in orbit as a spacecraft, and land on the Earth
\nas an airplane. The Shuttle is a four part vehicle consisting of the
\nOrbiter, an expendable External Tank (ET), and two Solid Rocket
\nBoosters (SRB’s).<\/p>\n
Launched in a conventional manner, the Space Shuttle’s Main Engines
\n(SSME’s) and the SRB’s produce approximately 30,800,000 newtons of
\nthrust. At 45 kilometers above the Earth the boosters separate and
\nreturn to the Earth by parachute for sea recovery. Eight minutes into
\nthe flight, at an approximate altitude of 110 kilometers, the ET
\npropellants are exhausted. The tank will separate from the Orbiter and
\ndisintegrate upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Any surviving
\npieces fall into remote ocean areas. To complete orbital insertion to
\naltitudes between 160 and 1110 kilometers, and later to make orbital
\nadjustments, two Orbiter Manuvering System (OMS) engines fire.<\/p>\n
Once in space, the Space Shuttle Orbiter serves as a base to deploy
\npayloads such as satellites or space probes. Satellites needing repair
\nor servicing can be brought on board and later released or returned to
\nEarth. The Orbiter can also be used as a platform for scientific
\nresearch.<\/p>\n
At the completion of the orbital phase of the mission, the Orbiter is
\nrotated in space by firing combinations of small rockets called the
\nReaction Control System (RCS). When the OMS engines are aimed in the
\ndirection of motion, they fire and the resulting thrust slows the
\nOrbiter, initiating reentry. Before making atmospheric contact, the
\nOrbiter is again rotated so that the underside will experience the
\nmajor share of atmospheric friction. To protect the Orbiter, three
\ntypes of reusable surface insulation are used. In areas of greatest
\nheating, the nose area, and leading edges of the wings, reinforced
\ncarbon is used (carbon cloth impregnated with additional carbon, heat
\ntreated, and then coated with silicon carbide). Other areas are
\ncovered with thermal tiles made of silica fibers or a Nomex felt
\nblanket material (nylon felt coated with silicon). To aid in heat
\nrejection, the tiles are given a glassy ceramic coating.<\/p>\n
As the altitude and speed of the orbiter decreases, the Orbiter begins
\nto function as a glider. The glide angle to the runway is about six
\ntimes steeper than a commercial jet liner on landing approach. Landing
\nspeeds are approximately 340 kilometers per hour.<\/p>\n
Following landing, the Orbiter undergoes refurbishment, new payloads
\nare inserted, a new External Tank installed, the booster refueled and
\nthe entire vehicle assembly is made ready for a new launch a few
\nmonths later. To reduce costs, the Orbiter is designed to be used
\nagain for up to 80 missions and the SRB’s are designed for about 6
\nflights each.<\/p>\n
S O L I D R O C K E T B O O S T E R S<\/p>\n
The SRB’s provide the major portion of the thrust at the time of
\nliftoff. They are the largest solid rocket boosters ever built, the
\nfirst to be used to launch humans into space, and the first designed
\nfor reuse. The SRB’s are assembled out of four tubular segments of
\n1.25 centimeter steel. The fore end is capped with a nose cone
\ncontaining a parachute assembly. The aft end has a steerable nozzle.
\nEight small rocket motors, four in the nose and four in the aft, are
\nused, at burn out, to separate the SRB’s from the external tank.<\/p>\n
Each booster contains a solid propellant that looks and feels like the
\nhard rubber of a typewriter eraser. A hollow core runs the entire
\nlength of the propellant load. To ignite the propellants, a small
\nrocket motor, fixed at the fore end of the core, is fired first.
\nFlames from the small rocket spread across the entire face of the core
\nand the SRB’s come to full thrust in less than one-half second.<\/p>\n
S T A T I S T I C S<\/p>\n
Length ……………………………… 45.46 meters
\nDiameter …………………………….. 3.70 meters
\nMass empty …………………………… 82,879 kilograms each
\nPropellant Mass ………………………. 503,627 kilograms each
\nThrust……………………………… 12,899,200 newtons each at
\n sea level
\nNozzles……………………………..Covergent-divergent. All-
\n axis gimbaling of 8 degrees.<\/p>\n
Propellant Composition………………..Aluminum perchlorate powder
\n (oxidizer)
\n ………………..Aluminum powder (fuel)
\n ………………..Iron oxide (catalyst)
\n ………………..Polymer (binder and fuel)
\n ………………..Epoxy curing agent<\/p>\n
SRB Surface Insulation………………..Ablative<\/p>\n
E X T E R N A L T A N K<\/p>\n
The external tank contains the propellants used for liftoff and ascent
\nby the Shuttle Orbiter’s three main engines. The ET has an external
\nshell which encloses three inner tanks. The forward inner tank
\ncontains liquid oxygen under pressure. An unpressurized intertank
\nholds most of the electrical components. The aft inner tank contains
\nliquid hydrogen under pressure. Tank walls are manufactured of
\naluminum alloys and are up to 5.23 centimeters thick. Antivortex and
\nantislosh baffles are built inside the fore and aft tank walls to
\ndampen any motions of the liquid propellants that might throw the
\nShuttle off course.<\/p>\n
Propellants are fed to the Orbiters SSME’s by gas pressure derived
\nfrom the controlled boiling of the propellants. Following the
\ndepletion of the liquid propellants. Following the depletion of liquid
\npropellants, the ET is destroyed on atmospheric reentry.<\/p>\n
S T A T I S T I C S<\/p>\n
Length ………………………………. 47 meters
\nDiameter……………………………… 8.38 meters
\nMass empty……………………………. 37,452 kilograms<\/p>\n
Propellants…………………………… Liquid oxygen (LO2)
\n …………………………… Liquid hydrogen (LH2)<\/p>\n
Propellant mass ……………………….. LO2–609,195 kilograms
\n ……………………….. LH2–101,606 kilograms
\nPropellant feed lines …………………. (2) 43 centimeters in
\n diameter
\nPropellant feed rate……………..LO2–242,000 liters per minute
\n ……………..LH2–184,420 liters per minute<\/p>\n
Surface insulation ……………. 1.27 centimeters thick core\/epoxy
\n layer covered with a 2.54 centi-
\n meter thick Spray-on foam.<\/p>\n
O R B I T E R<\/p>\n
The Space Shuttle Orbiter is a wide-body, delta-winged airplane and
\nspace vehicle. It is constructed primarily out of aluminum and covered
\nwith reusable surface insulation. The Orbiter is propelled by 49
\nrocket engines employed in various combinations for liftoff, attitude
\ncontrol in space, and in initiating reentry. Electrical power for
\nOrbiter systems is provided by fuel cells which produce, as a
\nbyproduct, water for drinking.<\/p>\n
The heart of the Orbiter is the cargo bay which can carry up to four
\nsatellites for launching at one time. The cargo bay permits the
\nscience laboratory Spacelab, to be carried into space and returned to
\nthe Earth at the completion of a mission. A highly articulated
\nmechanical arm called the Remote Manipulator System (RMS), can be
\noperated by Shuttle astronauts while inside the Orbiter cabin. The arm
\nwill be used to extract payloads from the cargo bay and deploy them
\noutside of the Orbiter.<\/p>\n
The forward section of the Orbiter contains the flight deck and crew
\nquarters for the astronauts. During launch up to four astronauts may
\nsit on the flight deck and up to three more may sit on the crew
\nquarters deck. The forward portion of the flight deck resembles the
\ncockpit of a jet liner but features separate controls for flying in
\nspace and flying in the atmosphere. The aft portion of the flight deck
\ncontains four stand-up duty stations including the controls for the
\nRMS. The crew quarters deck is entered through an open hatch through
\nthe flight deck floor. The crew quarters contain eating, sleeping, and
\nsanitary facilities. When extravehicular activities are necessary, an
\nairlock is installed in the orbiter cargo bay and entry is gained
\nthrough a hatch in the crew quarters.<\/p>\n
S T A T I S T I C S<\/p>\n
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS<\/p>\n
Length……………………………… 37.24 meters
\nBody width………………………….. 6.9 meters
\nWingspan……………………………. 23.79 meters
\nHeight with gear extended…………….. 17.27 meters
\nMass empty………………………….. 68,040 (Orbiter 102.
\n Other orbiters have lower
\n masses.)
\nCargo Bay length…………………….. 18.28 meters
\nCargo Bay diameter…………………… 4.57 meters
\nPayload mass for launch………………. 29,484 kilograms
\n to low Earth orbit.
\nPayload mass on return……………….. 14,515 kilograms<\/p>\n
ENGINES<\/p>\n
SSME: 3 (Total)
\nLiquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. Gambaling +\/- 10.5
\ndegrees on pitch axis and +\/- 8.5 degrees on yaw axis.<\/p>\n
Thrust…………………………….. 1,668,000 newtons each at
\n sea level<\/p>\n
OMS 2 (Total)
\nNitrogen tetroxide (N2 O4) and monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) propellants<\/p>\n
Thrust……………………………… 26,688 newtons in a
\n vacuum<\/p>\n
RCS
\nPrimary Thrusters……………………..38 (14 fore and 24 aft)
\n N2 04 and MMH propellants
\nThrust……………………………… 3,870 newtons each in a
\n vacuum
\nVernier Thrusters……………………..6 (2 fore and 4 aft)
\n N2 04 and MMH propellants
\nThrust……………………………….106 newtons each in a
\n vacuum<\/p>\n
CREW QUARTERS…………………………2 decks
\nCabin volume………………………….71.5 meters (cubed)
\nAtmosphere……………………………normal
\nPressure……………………………..normal<\/p>\n
THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM………………Reusable
\n RCC, coated silica tiles,
\n and coated Nomex felt<\/p>\n
———————————————————————-<\/p>\n
ACTIVITIES AND QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASSROOM<\/p>\n
1. What are the four main parts of the Space Shuttle?<\/p>\n
2. What is the major cost saving feature of the Space Shuttle over
\n previous launch vehicles?<\/p>\n
3. Describe the sequence of events for the Space Shuttle from launch
\n to landing.<\/p>\n
4. Compare the mass of the Space Shuttle empty to the mass of all
\n propellants used to thrust it into space. Why is there such a
\n difference between the two masses?<\/p>\n
5. What is a newton of thrust in English system measurement?<\/p>\n
6 Illustrate the size of the Orbiter by measuring and marking its
\n outline on a large open area such as an athletic field or play-
\n ground.<\/p>\n
7. Why is the thrust for some rocket engines listed as “sea level”
\n and for others as “vacuum”?<\/p>\n
8. What is the volume of the cargo bay of the Orbiter?<\/p>\n
9. Research previous launch vehicles and compare their sizes and
\n payload capacities to the Space Shuttle.<\/p>\n
10. What is the orbiter altitude range of the Space Shuttle?<\/p>\n
———————————————————————-
\nNASA EDUCATIONAL BRIEFS For The Classroom, EB-81-1<\/p>\n
“6_2_9_3.TXT” (9813 bytes) was created on 10-29-92<\/p>\n
NASA’S ORBITER FLEET
\nCOLUMBIA
\n Columbia (OV 102), the first of NASA’s orbiter fleet, was
\nelivered to Kennedy Space Center in March l979.<\/p>\n
Columbia initiated the Space Shuttle flight program when
\nt lifted off from Launch Complex 39’s Pad A on April 12,
\n981. It proved the operational concept of a winged,
\neusable spaceship by successfully completing the Orbital
\nlight Test Program — missions STS-1 through 4.<\/p>\n
Other achievements for Columbia include the first launch
\nof satellites from a Space Shuttle (STS-5) and the first
\nflight of the European-built scientific workshop — Spacelab
\n— on mission STS-9.<\/p>\n
Columbia is named after a small sailing vessel that
\noperated out of Boston in l792 and explored the mouth of the
\nColumbia River. One of the first U.S. Navy ships to circum-
\nnavigate the globe was named Columbia. The command module
\nfor the Apollo 11 lunar mission was also named Columbia.<\/p>\n
DISCOVERY<\/p>\n
Discovery (OV 103), the third of NASA’s fleet of
\nreusable, winged spaceships, arrived at Kennedy Space Center
\nin November 1983. (Challenger was the second orbiter to ar-
\nrive at KSC. See “Challenger” for its history.) It was
\nlaunched on its first mission, flight 41-D, on August 30,
\n1984, from Pad A. It carried aloft three communications
\nsatellites for deployment by its astronaut crew. Other Dis-
\ncovery milestones include the first dedicated Department of
\nDefense mission, the first flight to retrieve and return
\ndisabled satellites to Earth for repair and the first Space
\nShuttle mission of the post-Challenger era.<\/p>\n
Discovery is named for two famous sailing ships; one
\nsailed by Henry Hudson in 1610-11 to search for a northwest
\npassage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the
\nother by James Cook on a voyage during which he discovered
\nthe Hawaiian Islands.<\/p>\n
ATLANTIS<\/p>\n
Atlantis (OV 104) was delivered to Kennedy Space Center
\nin April 1985, as the fourth spaceship of NASA’s orbiter
\nfleet.<\/p>\n
Atlantis lifted off from Pad A on its maiden voyage on
\nOct. 3, 1985, on mission 51-J, the second dedicated Depart-
\nment of Defense flight. On its second mission, 61-B, Nov.
\n26, 1985, its astronaut crew conducted the first experiments
\nfor assembling erectable structures in space.<\/p>\n
Atlantis is named after a two-masted sailing ship that
\nwas operated for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute from
\n1930 to 1966.<\/p>\n
ENDEAVOUR<\/p>\n
Endeavour was the first ship commanded by James Cook, the 18th century
\nBritish explorer, navigator and astronomer. In August 1768, on Endeavour’s
\nmaiden voyage, Cook sailed to the South Pacific, around Tahiti, on a mission to
\nobserve and record the important and seldom occurring event when the planet
\nVenus passes between Earth and the sun. Determining the transit of Venus
\nallowed early astronomers to determine the distance of the sun from Earth. This
\ndistance then could be used as a unit of measurement essential in calculating
\nthe parameters of the universe. On June 3, 1769, Cook completed this mission
\nand continued his voyage to explore the southern hemisphere. He discovered and
\ncharted New Zealand and surveyed the eastern coast of Australia and navigated
\nthe Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n
In addition, Cook’s voyage on the Endeavour set a precedent of
\nestablishing the usefulness of sending scientists on voyages of exploration.
\nJoseph Banks and Carl Solander, who sailed with Cook, became the first
\nnaturalists to examine plants and animals in an organized manner. The wealth
\nof scientifically collected material was unique. They collected specimens from
\nmore than 100 new plant families with 800 to 1,000 new species. They also
\nencountered hundreds of new species of animals. Cook also had astronomers and
\nartists onboard.<\/p>\n
Endeavour and her crew made the first long-distance voyage on which no
\ncrewmen died from scurvy, the dietary disease caused by the lack of ascorbic
\nacids. Cook is credited with being the first to use diet as a cure for scurvy,
\nmaking his crew follow a strict diet that included cress, sauerkraut and an
\norange extract. He also ensured cleanliness and ventilation in the crew’s
\nquarters.<\/p>\n
The Endeavour was small, 368 tons, about 100-feet long and 20-feet wide.
\nShe had a round bluff bow and a flat bottom that provided uncommon spaciousness
\nand helped prevent her from being torn apart by coral. However, in 1795,
\nEndeavour ended her career on a reef along Rhode Island.<\/p>\n
Atlantis (OV 105) was delivered to Kennedy Space Center
\nin May, 1991, as the fifth spaceship of NASA’s orbiter
\nfleet.<\/p>\n
Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center for the first time on
\nMay 7, 1992, on mission STS-49.<\/p>\n
MISSION<\/p>\n
The delta-winged orbiter resembles an airplane and is
\nabout the size of a DC-9 jetliner. It is launched into
\nspace like a conventional rocket while bolted to an external
\npropellant tank and two solid rocket boosters.<\/p>\n
After liftoff, the boosters burn for a little over two
\nminutes before being jettisoned and carried by parachutes
\nto a watery landing. After splashdown, they are retrieved
\nand returned to Kennedy Space Center for refurbishment.<\/p>\n
The orbiter’s main engines continue to burn until about
\n8 1\/2 minutes into the flight. After shutdown, the exter-
\nnal tank is jettisoned, breaks up in the atmosphere, and
\nfalls into the Indian Ocean. It is the only piece of
\nShuttle flight hardware that is not reused. The orbiter
\nthen carries out its mission in space and returns to Earth
\nlike a glider.<\/p>\n
LAUNCH PROCESSING<\/p>\n
After completing a space mission, the orbiter is returned
\nto Kennedy Space Center to undergo preparations for its
\nnext flight in a sophisticated aircraft-like hanger called
\nthe Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). Here, the vehicle is
\nsafed, residual propellants are drained and any returning
\npayloads are removed.<\/p>\n
Any problems that may have occurred with orbiter sys-
\ntems and equipment on the previous mission are checked
\nout and corrected. Equipment is repaired or replaced and
\nextensively tested. Any modifications to the orbiter that
\nare required for the next mission are also made in the OPF.<\/p>\n
Orbiter refurbishment operations and processing for the
\nnext mission also begin in the OPF. Large horizontal
\npayloads, such as Spacelab, are installed in the orbiter
\ncargo bay. Vertical payloads are installed at the launch
\npad.<\/p>\n
Following extensive testing and verification of all
\nelectrical and mechanical interfaces, the orbiter is trans-
\nferred to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building where it is
\nmated to the external tank and solid rocket boosters. Then,
\nthe assembled Space Shuttle vehicle is carried to the launch
\npad by a large tracked vehicle called the crawler-
\ntransporter.<\/p>\n
At the launch pad, final preflight and interface checks
\nof the orbiter, its cargo and associated ground support
\nequipment are conducted. After a positive Flight Readiness
\nReview, the decision to launch is given and the final
\ncountdown begins.<\/p>\n
ORBITER MODIFICATIONS<\/p>\n
More than 200 significant modifications are being made
\nto the orbiter fleet. These modifications involve orbiter
\nmain engines, brakes and landing gear, thermal protection
\nsystem and propellant supply systems, as well as a new crew
\nescape system.<\/p>\n
Main engine modifications include changes to the high-
\npressure turbomachinery, hydraulic actuators, and main
\ncombustion chamber.<\/p>\n
The orbiter braking system will be upgraded to increase
\nbraking capacity, improve steering, and reduce the effects
\nof tire damage and failure. Additions to the system also in-
\nclude tire pressure monitoring.<\/p>\n
Some of the tiles that make up the orbiter thermal
\nprotection system have been replaced with thermal blankets
\nto make the system lighter, stronger and more durable. Also,
\na reinforced carbon-carbon panel will be added to the or-
\nbiter chin between the nose cap and the nose wheel door to
\nprovide improved insulation against the searing heat of
\nreentry.<\/p>\n
Improvements to the orbiter propellant supply system in-
\nclude a redesigned 17-inch quick disconnect valve between
\nthe orbiter and the external tank. Additional modifications
\nwill be made to the propellant systems of the orbiter reac-
\ntion control system, orbital maneuvering system, and the
\nauxiliary power units.<\/p>\n
A new crew escape system has been added that allows
\nthe Space Shuttle crew to bail out if the orbiter has to
\nmake an emergency return descent and a safe runway cannot
\nbe reached. This system consists of an escape pole that
\nwould be extended from the opened crew hatch. The crew would
\nthen fasten a lanyard hook assembly that is a part of the
\npole to their parachute harnesses. Once attached to this
\nhook, the crew would slide down the deployed pole, away from
\nthe orbiter. Once free of the pole, they would parachute to
\nsafety.<\/p>\n
SPACE SHUTTLE<\/p>\n
Height: 184.2 feet<\/p>\n
Gross liftoff weight: 4,500,000 pounds<\/p>\n
Total liftoff thrust: 7,700,000 pounds<\/p>\n
ORBITER<\/p>\n
Length: 122.17 feet<\/p>\n
Wingspan: 78.06 feet<\/p>\n
Dry Weight:<\/p>\n
Columbia (OV 102) 178,000 pounds<\/p>\n
Discovery (OV-103) 171,000 pounds<\/p>\n
Atlantis (OV-104) 171,000 pounds<\/p>\n
Main Engines: (3) 375,000 pounds of
\n thrust each (sea level)<\/p>\n
Cargo Bay: length – 60 feet<\/p>\n
diameter – 15 feet<\/p>\n
SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS (2)<\/p>\n
Length: 149.16 feet
\n Diameter: 12.17 feet
\n Liftoff Weight: (each) 1,300,000 pounds
\n Recovery weight: (each) 192,000 pounds
\n Thrust: (each) 3,300,000 pounds (sea level)<\/p>\n
EXTERNAL TANK<\/p>\n
Length: 153.8 feet
\n Diameter: 27.6 feet
\n Weight:
\n Liftoff: 1,655,600 pounds (535,000 gallons)
\n Empty : 66,000 pounds
\n Propellants
\n Liquid Oxygen:
\n Capacity: 143,351 gallons
\n Volume: 19,600 cubic feet
\n Liquid Hydrogen:
\n Capacity: 385,265 gallons
\n Volume: 53,500 cubic feet<\/p>\n
