The Insane Engineering of Orbit
Real Engineering・24 minutes read
The Space Shuttle's journey involves stages of propulsion, safety systems, crew tasks, and equipment, culminating in re-entry and landing processes explained in an upcoming episode, with educational opportunities available through Brilliant courses for interested learners.
Insights
- The Space Shuttle undergoes a complex sequence of events during its mission, transitioning from powerful ascent to serene weightlessness, serving as a vital laboratory and home in space equipped with precise control systems and safety measures.
- The androgynous peripheral attach system, crucial for docking between Russian and American spacecraft, played a pivotal role in assembling the international space station, with astronauts overcoming challenges during missions like STS-49 through innovative manual grabs and engineering solutions.
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Recent questions
How does the Space Shuttle reenter Earth's atmosphere?
By firing OMS engines to slow velocity.
What is the purpose of the Canadarm in space missions?
To secure and attach satellites.
How does the Space Shuttle accommodate astronauts during missions?
By adjusting airlock for additional astronauts.
What are the main propellants used in the Space Shuttle's engines?
Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
What is the function of the reaction control system on the Space Shuttle?
For precise thrust control and maneuvering.
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Summary
00:00
Space Shuttle: Journey, Laboratory, Home, and Safety
- The Space Shuttle has been in flight for 9 minutes, powered by 2 solid rocket boosters that have now detached and are falling back to Earth for refurbishment.
- The orbiter's main engines are fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen from the external tank, which is jettisoned after fuel depletion.
- The orbiter transitions from a thundering journey to a weightless, serene cruise upon engine shutdown, with astronauts witnessing Earth below.
- The orbiter serves as a mobile laboratory and home in space, equipped with tools for survival and complex space tasks.
- The orbiter's forward reaction control system contains toxic, hypergolic propellants that ignite upon contact, requiring pressurized suits for safety.
- The orbiter's reaction control system uses spherical tanks with high-pressure helium for precise thrust control.
- The orbiter has 38 main thrusters and 6 smaller vernier thrusters for delicate maneuvers, controlled by the commander's seat and flight computer.
- The Space Shuttle's windows are multi-layered for durability, with a failsafe redundant pane made of fused silica glass.
- The middeck of the orbiter is where astronauts perform experiments, sleep, and eat, with some opting to sleep strapped in while others free float.
- The payload doors of the orbiter are crucial for the temperature control system, featuring radiator panels and made of a lightweight composite material.
14:26
Space Station Docking System and Challenges
- The androgynous peripheral attach system was installed during the construction of the international space station to allow docking between Russian and American spacecraft.
- The system featured a ring with three petals on each side for soft capture, followed by 12 latches engaging for an airtight connection.
- The system was crucial during the assembly of the space station, with the space shuttle playing a key role in transporting and connecting modules.
- During STS-49, astronauts faced challenges capturing a stranded satellite, resorting to manual grabs with a capture bar designed for the mission.
- After multiple failed attempts, engineers sent commands to stabilize the satellite, allowing for successful capture.
- Due to difficulties, a new plan was devised where astronauts would manually grab the satellite with their hands, utilizing the shuttle's maneuverability.
- To accommodate three astronauts in the airlock for the mission, adjustments were made due to the airlock being designed for two people.
- The Canadarm, operated by a Coast Guard pilot, was a vital tool in the mission, with unique physics in a weightless environment.
- The Canadarm's end fixture used a wire grapple system to secure the satellite, allowing for successful attachment to the capture bar.
- Life support systems on the shuttle included tanks for oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, with processes in place to maintain a breathable atmosphere and power the shuttle.
27:50
Space Shuttle Reentry: Engineering and Landing Process
- The space shuttle reenters the earth's atmosphere by firing the OMS engines to slow its orbital velocity, traveling at a speed of 7-8 km/s. As it enters the thin upper atmosphere, it creates a glowing cloud of charged plasma due to the immense speed, reaching temperatures of 1650 degrees celsius. Innovative engineering allows the shuttle to withstand this heat and transition into a glider for landing, combining aerospace and aviation technologies.
- Episode 3 of the space shuttle engineering series will detail the re-entry and landing process, with a break for the holidays. For those interested in learning, Brilliant offers interactive courses on various topics like language models and engineering skills, accessible through their mobile app. Access to courses can be obtained at brilliant.org/RealEngineering, with a free 30-day trial and a 20% discount for the first 500 subscribers.
