This talk explains NASA's primary launch
vehicle. The Space Transportation System (STS), commonly known as the
Space Shuttle, actually consist's of three major parts: the orbiter (a
plane/glider, which by itself is not the Space Shuttle, contrary to common
opinion), the external tank (ET), and the two solid rocket boosters
(SRB's). Only the orbiter goes into space; the other components help
carry it into orbit, but are jettisoned as thier fuel is used up.
The Shuttle's launch operations take place at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Flordia. The components are assembled here in the second largest building by volume in the world, after the Boeing 747 plant in Evertt, WA. This Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is so tall, that before an appropriate ventilation system was installed, clouds would form inside and rain would fall on the workers. The launch site itself is situated 3.5 miles away from the industrial area. To get the fully assembled shuttle there, a slow moving (0.5 mph) mobile launch platform crawls to the pad to drop off the shuttle. Each component of the STS is discussed, which then leads to a step-by-step analysis of the launch. The SRB's are seperated first, and are recovered by specially equiped ships in the Atlantic, which install Diver Operated Plugs (DOPs) that float them horizontally so they can be towed back, scrubbed down, and reused. The ET burns up as it is released later and higher up in the atmosphere.
In addition to describing the operation of the shuttle, some of the enviormental effects of the launch, including vegitation burned by acid created by the SRB's, and how NASA deals with living habitat for endangered species. Also the effects of microgravity on the shuttle and it's crew is described.
Written by Lisa Chi
Posted by Ward Scotland
© 1997 Science Outreach Program
