Why does the space shuttle need rocket boosters?

NASA – Solid Rocket Boosters. The Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) operate in parallel with the main engines for the first two minutes of flight to provide the additional thrust needed for the Orbiter to escape the gravitational pull of the Earth. The boosters also assist in guiding the entire vehicle during initial ascent …

Can the external tank be reused?

The tank is also the “backbone” of the Shuttle during the launch, providing structural support for attachment with the solid rocket boosters and orbiter. The tank is the only component of the Space Shuttle that is not reused.

What falls off a rocket after launch?

Those that lift off from NASA space center fall via parachute, and land in the Atlantic Ocean. Solid boosters are intended to float, they are often recovered by ships, brought back to land, and refurbished — so at least all of that material isn’t going to waste.

Why are space shuttles white?

The first two, used for STS-1 and STS-2, were painted white to protect the tanks from ultraviolet light during the extended time that the shuttle spends on the launch pad prior to launch.

Why is the space shuttle external tank orange?

Originally Answered: Why is the space shuttle fuel tank orange? According to nasa.gov, the external tank is orange due to a foam insulation sprayed on the tank’s aluminum structure.

How do the boosters on the Space Shuttle work?

The solid rocket boosters do not ignite until the shuttle’s main engines are up and running. At liftoff, flames shoot down through the inside of the booster to ignite the fuel. Once ignited, the boosters cannot be turned off. A pair of boosters combines to burn nine tons of fuel every second.

What is the function of the Space Shuttle external tank?

The main function of the Space Shuttle external tank was to supply the liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel to the main engines. It was also the backbone of the launch vehicle, providing attachment points for the two solid rocket boosters and the orbiter.

What is the ascent process of the Space Shuttle?

The ascent process begins with the liftoff from the launch pad. Propellant is being burned from the Solid Rocket Boosters, or SRB, and the external tank, or ET, causing the space shuttle to accelerate very quickly.

How many fuel tanks did the Space Shuttle have?

They included the shuttle itself, also known as the orbiter, plus a pair of solid rocket boosters and a single external fuel tank. The external tank, or ET, is the familiar orange structure that dominates most images of the shuttle at liftoff.