Space Shuttle Orbiter: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

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Space Shuttle Orbiter

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	Topics Space Shuttle Orbiter Topic Home The Space Shuttle orbiters are the orbital spacecraftSpacecraft A spacecraft is a vehicle designed to operate beyond the surface of the Earth in outer space.... of the Space ShuttleSpace Shuttle Summary NASA's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System , is the United States government's current manned... program operated by NASANASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an agency of the United States Government, responsible for the nation'... , the space agency of the United StatesUnited States The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is... . Each orbiter is a reusable winged "spaceplaneSpaceplane A spaceplane is a rocket plane designed to pass the edge of space.... ", a mixture of rocket, spacecraft, and aircraft. The orbiters carry crews and payloads into Earth orbitEarth orbit Earth orbit is an orbit around the planet Earth.... , perform on-orbit operations, then re-enter the atmosphereAtmospheric reentry Atmospheric reentry is the process by which vehicles that are outside the atmosphere of a planet can enter that atmosphere a... and land like gliderGlider Gliders are heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight.... s to return their crews and any on board payloads to Earth. In addition to the crew and payload the reusable orbiter carries most of the main propulsion system, but the propellant for its three main enginesSpace Shuttle main engine The Space Shuttle Main Engines are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter.... is fed from a non-reusable external tankSpace Shuttle external tank The Space Shuttle External Tank contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressur... , and two reusable solid rocket boostersSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Overview The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle.... help propel both the orbiter and the external tank during the first two minutes of ascent. Specifications (for EndeavourSpace Shuttle Endeavour Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour , is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle to be built.... , OV-105) Length: 122.17 ft (37.24 m) Wingspan: 78.06 ft (23.79 m) Height: 58.58 ft (17.25 m) Empty Weight: 151,205 lbs (68,586.6 kg) Gross Liftoff Weight: 240,000 lbs (109,000 kg) Maximum Landing Weight: 230,000 lbs (104,000 kg) Main Engines: Three Rocketdyne Block 2 A SSMEs, each with a sea level thrust of 393,800 lbf (178,624 kgf / 1.75MN) Maximum Payload: 55,250 lb (25,061.4 kg) Payload Bay dimensions: 15 ft by 60 ft (4.6 m by 18.3 m) Operational Altitude: 100 to 520 nm (185 to 1,000 km) Speed: 25,404 ft/s (7,743 m/s, 27,875 km/h, 17,321 mph) Crossrange: 1,085 nautical miles (2,009.4 km) Crew: 6-7 (Commander, Pilot, 4-5 Mission Specialists and/or Payload Specialists), 2 (Commander and Pilot) for minimum. Flight statistics See also Space Shuttle programSpace Shuttle program Overview NASA's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System , is the United States government's current manned... Space ShuttleSpace Shuttle NASA's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System , is the United States government's current manned... Shuttle BuranShuttle Buran The Shuttle Buran, serial number 11F35 K1, was the only space shuttle to come out of the Shuttle Buran program that was ... Shuttle SRB SpaceplaneSpaceplane A spaceplane is a rocket plane designed to pass the edge of space.... External links