learning goals i will be able to identify the names of the space shuttles in nasa’s program. i...

THE SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM

Learning Goals

I will be able to identify the names of the space shuttles in NASA’s program.

I will be able to identify two shuttle disasters.

The Space Shuttle

A program that followed NASA’s successful Apollo missions of the early 70’s.

Goal was to develop a reusable launch system and orbital spacecraft for human spaceflight missions.

This spacecraft was used from 1981 – 2011 for a total of 135 missions.

Shuttle Specs

The shuttle was significantly smaller than the Saturn V rocket:

Height = 56.1 m Diameter = 8.7 m Weight = 2,030 tonnes

Was able to deliver a payload of 24,400 kg into low earth orbit.

The shuttle was sent into orbit through the use of two re-usable solid rocket boosters and a large external fuel tank.

This, coupled with the three main engines on the shuttle itself, provided the required left for the shuttle.Solid Rocket

Booster

External FuelTank

The Shuttle Fleet

NASA’s original shuttle fleet consisted of 5 launch vehicles:

Atlantis (1985 – 2011, 33 missions) Challenger (1983 – 1986, 10 missions) Columbia (1981 – 2003, 28 missions) Discovery (1984 – 2011, 39 missions) Endeavour (1992 – 2011, 25 missions)

Flew the last mission of the space shuttle program on June 1, 2011.

Shuttle Program Tragedies

Challenger Disaster (1986)

Columbia Disaster (2003)

Shuttle Challenger took off on January 28, 1986.

Was lost two minutes into flight.

Caused by a defective O-Ring which sealed the SRB to the external fuel tank.

Entire crew of seven was lost Included one school teacher.

Shuttle Columbia was re-entering the atmosphere on February 1, 2003.

The protective heat shield was damaged on take-off and failed upon re-entry.

Entire crew of seven was lost.

Important Missions

The Space Shuttle program, overcoming two major tragedies, completed many (many) important missions. They included:

Launching of the Hubble Telescope Launching of space probes (Galileo,

Magellan) Assembly of the International Space

Station with the Russian and European Space Agencies

Canadarm

Canada’s contribution to the space shuttle program.

A robotic arm stored in the payload bay that allowed large components to be maneuvered while in orbit.

Shuttle Retirement

When Endeavour landed on June 1, 2011 it marked the end of another great chapter in NASA’s manned space program.

It terms of the future, it is anticipated that the Orion spacecraft, successor of the shuttle, will be operational as of 2020. Will combine features of shuttle

(SRBs) and Saturn V

Learning Goals Revisited

I will be able to identify the names of the space shuttles in NASA’s program.

I will be able to identify two shuttle disasters.