How much fuel does a space shuttle need 2024?
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Julian Butler
Works at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Lives in Rome, Italy.
As a subject matter expert in aerospace engineering, I can provide you with a detailed answer regarding the fuel requirements of a space shuttle. The Space Shuttle was a complex and highly capable spacecraft designed for a variety of missions, including satellite deployment, scientific research, and servicing the International Space Station. Fuel consumption for a space shuttle is a multifaceted topic that involves several stages of the launch and mission profile.
The Space Shuttle consisted of the Orbiter Vehicle, two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), and an External Tank (ET). The primary propulsion system of the Orbiter was the three main engines, which were fueled by liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX). The SRBs provided the initial thrust to get the shuttle off the ground and were jettisoned after about two minutes into the flight.
The External Tank, which was the largest component of the Space Shuttle system, held the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that fed the main engines. The tank was approximately 154 feet (47 meters) tall and had a diameter of 27.7 feet (8.44 meters). It was divided into two sections: the lower section contained the liquid hydrogen, and the upper section contained the liquid oxygen. The ET could hold approximately 535,000 pounds (242,000 kilograms) of liquid hydrogen and 146,000 pounds (66,000 kilograms) of liquid oxygen.
The Solid Rocket Boosters were each filled with over one million pounds of solid propellant. This propellant was a mixture of ammonium perchlorate, aluminum powder, and a rubber-like binder. The SRBs provided about 80% of the thrust needed to reach orbit, with the main engines accounting for the remaining 20%.
The amount of fuel needed for a space shuttle mission was determined by several factors, including the desired orbital altitude, the mass of the payload, and the specific mission objectives. The orbital altitude for the Space Shuttle typically ranged from 190 miles to 330 miles (304 kilometers to 528 kilometers) above sea level. The higher the altitude, the more energy is required to reach and maintain that orbit, which translates to a greater amount of fuel.
Once in orbit, the shuttle could perform various maneuvers using its Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS), which also consumed fuel. The OMS used a combination of monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) as propellants.
In summary, the fuel requirements for a space shuttle were substantial and varied based on mission specifics. The main engines consumed a significant amount of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, while the SRBs, though used for a shorter duration, carried a massive amount of solid propellant. The shuttle's propulsion system was designed to be efficient and powerful, capable of lifting the spacecraft and its payload into orbit and supporting its activities while in space.
The Space Shuttle consisted of the Orbiter Vehicle, two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), and an External Tank (ET). The primary propulsion system of the Orbiter was the three main engines, which were fueled by liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX). The SRBs provided the initial thrust to get the shuttle off the ground and were jettisoned after about two minutes into the flight.
The External Tank, which was the largest component of the Space Shuttle system, held the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that fed the main engines. The tank was approximately 154 feet (47 meters) tall and had a diameter of 27.7 feet (8.44 meters). It was divided into two sections: the lower section contained the liquid hydrogen, and the upper section contained the liquid oxygen. The ET could hold approximately 535,000 pounds (242,000 kilograms) of liquid hydrogen and 146,000 pounds (66,000 kilograms) of liquid oxygen.
The Solid Rocket Boosters were each filled with over one million pounds of solid propellant. This propellant was a mixture of ammonium perchlorate, aluminum powder, and a rubber-like binder. The SRBs provided about 80% of the thrust needed to reach orbit, with the main engines accounting for the remaining 20%.
The amount of fuel needed for a space shuttle mission was determined by several factors, including the desired orbital altitude, the mass of the payload, and the specific mission objectives. The orbital altitude for the Space Shuttle typically ranged from 190 miles to 330 miles (304 kilometers to 528 kilometers) above sea level. The higher the altitude, the more energy is required to reach and maintain that orbit, which translates to a greater amount of fuel.
Once in orbit, the shuttle could perform various maneuvers using its Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS), which also consumed fuel. The OMS used a combination of monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) as propellants.
In summary, the fuel requirements for a space shuttle were substantial and varied based on mission specifics. The main engines consumed a significant amount of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, while the SRBs, though used for a shorter duration, carried a massive amount of solid propellant. The shuttle's propulsion system was designed to be efficient and powerful, capable of lifting the spacecraft and its payload into orbit and supporting its activities while in space.
2024-06-11 13:25:16
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Works at the International Renewable Energy Agency, Lives in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The exact speed depends on the Space Shuttle's orbital altitude, which normally ranges from 190 miles to 330 miles (304 kilometers to 528 kilometers) above sea level, depending on its mission. Each of the two Solid Rocket Boosters on the Space Shuttle carries more than one million pounds of solid propellant.
2023-06-12 15:48:26
Benjamin Brown
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
The exact speed depends on the Space Shuttle's orbital altitude, which normally ranges from 190 miles to 330 miles (304 kilometers to 528 kilometers) above sea level, depending on its mission. Each of the two Solid Rocket Boosters on the Space Shuttle carries more than one million pounds of solid propellant.
