Why do space shuttles need wings?

Why do space shuttles need wings?

The orbiter has wings that create lift. It uses a double-delta wing configuration to achieve the most efficient flight during hypersonic speed as well as providing a good lift -to-drag ratio during landing. For control, each wing has an “elevon”.

Can a Space Shuttle land on Earth?

For a successful return to Earth and landing, dozens of things have to go just right. Once the orbiter is tail first, the crew fires the OMS engines to slow the orbiter down and fall back to Earth; it will take about 25 minutes before the shuttle reaches the upper atmosphere.

Could the Space Shuttle land on water?

The Space Shuttle was designed so that it would return to land as a glider, potentially saving time and money in refurbishing it for reuse, just as with conventional aircraft. Landing anything in seawater, such as the Apollo spacecraft, would cause seawater-related damage to engines and electronics.

What is the difference between Space Shuttle and spacecraft?

Space shuttle is a lifting body needing additional rocket engines for thrust. It is a low Earth ORBITAL spacecraft. The engines are the main difference. However it basically is a spacecraft and not designed for prolonged operation in the atmosphere.

Why do space shuttles take off vertically?

Rockets launched from the surface of the Earth are launched vertically so as to pass through the thickest part of the atmosphere at relatively low speeds. A key concept here is maximum dynamic pressure, or max Q. In the case of the Space Shuttle, max Q occurred at about 11 km above the surface of the Earth.

How do space shuttles land back on Earth?

When the astronauts want to return to Earth they turn on the engines, to push their spacecraft out of orbit. Gravity then pulls the spacecraft back towards the Earth. The spacecraft may be slowed to a safe landing speed by parachutes.

Does a space shuttle land like an airplane?

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. The external tank would burn up over Earth.

Does the space capsule float or sink?

Capsules like Apollo and Orion are mainly open space internally (the crew cabin); they have no problem floating by themselves (like a metal-hulled boat would). The conical capsule shape by itself will float in either of two orientations: stable 1 (base down, nose up) and stable 2 (nose down).

Is it better to land in water or land?

If you come down in the water you will be injured and unable to keep yourself afloat, and it will be much harder to rescue you. On land help will be much closer and, and as @RonBeyer says in comments, you can’t drown on land.

How many space shuttles have flown?

The Shuttle launches like a rocket, maneuvers in Earth orbit like a spacecraft and lands like an airplane. Each of the three Space Shuttle orbiters now in operation — Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour — is designed to fly at least 100 missions. So far, altogether they have flown a combined total of less than one-fourth of that.

What is a shuttle in space?

Shuttle Basics. The Space Shuttle is the world’s first reusable spacecraft, and the first spacecraft in history that can carry large satellites both to and from orbit. The Shuttle launches like a rocket, maneuvers in Earth orbit like a spacecraft and lands like an airplane.

How high can the Space Shuttle go?

The Shuttle is designed to reach orbits ranging from about 185 kilometers to 643 kilometers (115 statute miles to 400 statute miles) high. The Shuttle has the most reliable launch record of any rocket now in operation. Since 1981, it has boosted more than 1.36 million kilograms (3 million pounds) of cargo into orbit.

What is partially reusable launch system and spacecraft?

Partially reusable launch system and spacecraft. The Space Shuttle was a partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system that was operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program.