What fuel does the space shuttle use?
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Ava Brown
Works at Cloud9 Technologies, Lives in San Diego, CA.
As an aerospace expert with a focus on historical space missions, I'm delighted to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the fuel used by the space shuttle.
The Space Shuttle, developed by NASA, was a partially reusable launch vehicle that played a pivotal role in space exploration and transportation for three decades. It was designed with a unique combination of components that made it stand out from other space vehicles. The fuel used by the Space Shuttle is a critical aspect of its design and function.
The Space Shuttle consisted of three main components: the orbiter, the external tank (ET), and the two solid rocket boosters (SRBs). The fuel for the Space Shuttle is not a single type but a combination of propellants that are stored and used in different parts of the vehicle.
1. External Tank (ET): The ET is often referred to as the "gas tank" of the Space Shuttle. It is the largest and heaviest part of the vehicle and is loaded with the main propellants. The ET contains over 500,000 gallons of two types of propellants: liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2). These are stored in separate tanks within the ET. The liquid oxygen tank is located at the front of the ET, while the liquid hydrogen tank is situated at the rear. The liquid oxygen serves as the oxidizer, and the liquid hydrogen is the fuel.
2. Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs): The SRBs are attached to the sides of the ET and provide additional thrust during the initial phase of the launch. Each SRB contains a solid propellant made primarily of ammonium perchlorate, a compound that acts as an oxidizer, combined with powdered aluminum, which serves as the fuel. The solid propellant is a mixture that, when ignited, produces a large amount of hot gas that propels the boosters and, in turn, the entire stack.
3. Orbiter's Main Engines: The orbiter itself houses three main engines, known as the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs). These engines are fueled by the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the ET. The SSMEs are cryogenic engines, meaning they operate at extremely low temperatures. The liquid hydrogen is stored at a temperature of -423°F (22.9K), and the liquid oxygen at -297°F (-183°C). When the SSMEs ignite, the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are combined in a combustion chamber where they burn to produce thrust.
The process of fueling the Space Shuttle begins several hours before launch. The ET is filled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are kept at such low temperatures to reduce their volume and increase their density, making them easier to store and carry into space. The solid rocket boosters are filled with their solid propellant during the manufacturing process and do not require fueling prior to launch.
The combination of these propellants allows the Space Shuttle to generate the enormous thrust needed to escape Earth's gravity and reach orbit. The SRBs burn for approximately the first two minutes of flight, after which they are jettisoned and the SSMEs continue to burn until the vehicle reaches the desired orbit.
In summary, the Space Shuttle's propulsion system is a complex and carefully orchestrated ballet of different fuels and engines, each playing a critical role in the vehicle's journey from the launch pad to orbit and back to Earth. The use of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen in the external tank, along with the solid propellant in the SRBs, made the Space Shuttle one of the most powerful and versatile space vehicles ever created.
The Space Shuttle, developed by NASA, was a partially reusable launch vehicle that played a pivotal role in space exploration and transportation for three decades. It was designed with a unique combination of components that made it stand out from other space vehicles. The fuel used by the Space Shuttle is a critical aspect of its design and function.
The Space Shuttle consisted of three main components: the orbiter, the external tank (ET), and the two solid rocket boosters (SRBs). The fuel for the Space Shuttle is not a single type but a combination of propellants that are stored and used in different parts of the vehicle.
1. External Tank (ET): The ET is often referred to as the "gas tank" of the Space Shuttle. It is the largest and heaviest part of the vehicle and is loaded with the main propellants. The ET contains over 500,000 gallons of two types of propellants: liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2). These are stored in separate tanks within the ET. The liquid oxygen tank is located at the front of the ET, while the liquid hydrogen tank is situated at the rear. The liquid oxygen serves as the oxidizer, and the liquid hydrogen is the fuel.
2. Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs): The SRBs are attached to the sides of the ET and provide additional thrust during the initial phase of the launch. Each SRB contains a solid propellant made primarily of ammonium perchlorate, a compound that acts as an oxidizer, combined with powdered aluminum, which serves as the fuel. The solid propellant is a mixture that, when ignited, produces a large amount of hot gas that propels the boosters and, in turn, the entire stack.
3. Orbiter's Main Engines: The orbiter itself houses three main engines, known as the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs). These engines are fueled by the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the ET. The SSMEs are cryogenic engines, meaning they operate at extremely low temperatures. The liquid hydrogen is stored at a temperature of -423°F (22.9K), and the liquid oxygen at -297°F (-183°C). When the SSMEs ignite, the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are combined in a combustion chamber where they burn to produce thrust.
The process of fueling the Space Shuttle begins several hours before launch. The ET is filled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are kept at such low temperatures to reduce their volume and increase their density, making them easier to store and carry into space. The solid rocket boosters are filled with their solid propellant during the manufacturing process and do not require fueling prior to launch.
The combination of these propellants allows the Space Shuttle to generate the enormous thrust needed to escape Earth's gravity and reach orbit. The SRBs burn for approximately the first two minutes of flight, after which they are jettisoned and the SSMEs continue to burn until the vehicle reaches the desired orbit.
In summary, the Space Shuttle's propulsion system is a complex and carefully orchestrated ballet of different fuels and engines, each playing a critical role in the vehicle's journey from the launch pad to orbit and back to Earth. The use of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen in the external tank, along with the solid propellant in the SRBs, made the Space Shuttle one of the most powerful and versatile space vehicles ever created.
2024-05-25 20:10:38
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Works at the World Health Organization, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Space Shuttle's large External Tank is loaded with more than 500,000 gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are mixed and burned together to form the fuel for the orbiter's three main rocket engines.
2023-06-10 15:40:26
Scarlett Gonzales
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
The Space Shuttle's large External Tank is loaded with more than 500,000 gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are mixed and burned together to form the fuel for the orbiter's three main rocket engines.
