Space shuttle

Space shuttle

A reusable launch and orbital spacecraft developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for manned spaceflight missions.

Industry: Aerospace

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Space shuttle

Saal an der Donau

Aerospace; Space flight

Saal an der Donau est une commune de Bavière (Allemagne), située dans l'arrondissement de Kelheim, dans le district de Basse-Bavière.

solid rocket boosters

Aerospace; Space shuttle

Two rockets flanking the orbiter that burn solid fuel during first minutes of ascent and then drop off, parachuting into the ocean.

orbital maneuvering system

Aerospace; Space shuttle

Two engines mounted in pods outside the back of the fuselage, for power when entering or leaving orbit.

reaction control system

Aerospace; Space shuttle

Set of engines on each side of back fuselage, used to control motion while maneuvering out of orbit and returning into the atmosphere.

split rudder-speed brake

Aerospace; Space shuttle

Panel on the vertical stabilizer that splays apart to increase drag and slow the craft during landing. Moved together, this part acts like a rudder to control motion.

heat-resistant tiles

Aerospace; Space shuttle

Tiles that line the orbiter's belly to protect it during the intense heat of returning to the earth's atmosphere.

solid rocket booster (SRB) propellant

Composite propellant used in the space shuttle solid rocket boosters that consists mainly of ammonium perchlorate as the oxidizer, powdered aluminum as the metallic fuel, and PBAN, polybutadiene-acryl ...