What is the advantage of the space shuttle over other spacecraft?

But the shuttle’s ability to do this is unique. It is the only spacecraft ever made that could return to Earth like an airplane and then be used again. All other rockets that have ever launched humans into space have been designed to fly just once.

How does the space shuttle work?

The space shuttle launched like a rocket. But it landed like a glider airplane. The solid rocket boosters and the main engines on the orbiter helped the shuttle blast off from Earth like a rocket. When the shuttle orbiter returned to Earth, it came down from the sky like an airplane.

Are NASA images free?

NASA content (images, videos, audio, etc) are generally not copyrighted and may be used for educational or informational purposes without needing explicit permissions.

Why do rockets work in space?

Rockets and engines in space behave according to Isaac Newton’s third law of motion: Every action produces an equal and opposite reaction. When a rocket shoots fuel out one end, this propels the rocket forward — no air is required. NASA says this principle is easy to observe on Earth.

How can a space shuttle move in space?

So, the force created by the shuttle’s engines in expelling the burning fuel produces an equal thrust in the opposite direction. This thrust acts on the spacecraft and propels it along.

What systems are checked before a Space Shuttle launch?

So all the systems – the SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) are changed out, the orbiter mechanisms for up in the payload bay, the ET doors, all the ECS Systems (Environmental Control Systems) that provide cooling and air for the astronauts and crew, all the data processing systems… they’re all thoroughly checked out before flight.

Who develops the Space Shuttle program?

The Space Shuttle is developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA coordinates and manages the Space Transportation System (NASA’s name for the overall Shuttle program), including intergovernmental agency requirements and international and joint projects.

Why does it take so long to complete a Space Shuttle mission?

It takes a long time, Scott, because of all the things we’re doing to try and make sure that the shuttle is ready to go support the next flight. Although there are a lot of redundant systems on the orbiter, we really don’t like to get on orbit and then have to take advantage of that redundancy.

Why do space shuttles have launch windows?

At other times, the Space Shuttle or an unmanned rocket must be launched within a certain window so that it can release its satellite payload at the right time to place it in an orbit over a certain region of Earth. For more information, please click on the launch window link below. Q. What are the names of the Space Shuttle orbiters?