Hi
I had this dream/nightmare last night about Atlantis. At liftoff of STS-115 one of her main engines didn't start (or malfunctioned directly after liftoff). In the dream, Atlantis wasn't able to make a controlled flight anymore and came dangerously off course. Eventually she smashed into the ground with the SRB's and ET still attached to the vehicle.
A horrible dream of course and my question is, what would really happen if one of the main engines failed during lift-off? Is there a possible escape sequence to be followed so that the Shuttle can make an emergency landing? Or, can the Shuttle in fact still reach orbit with only two of her three engines?
/CCC
Coca Cola Cowboy - 1/9/2006 2:45 AM
Hi
I had this dream/nightmare last night about Atlantis. At liftoff of STS-115 one of her main engines didn't start (or malfunctioned directly after liftoff). In the dream, Atlantis wasn't able to make a controlled flight anymore and came dangerously off course. Eventually she smashed into the ground with the SRB's and ET still attached to the vehicle.
A horrible dream of course and my question is, what would really happen if one of the main engines failed during lift-off? Is there a possible escape sequence to be followed so that the Shuttle can make an emergency landing? Or, can the Shuttle in fact still reach orbit with only two of her three engines?
/CCC
1) Don't eat cheese before going to bed.
2) It would be best to ask this on the Shuttle Q and A threads on the General Section, but I'm sure I read this would likely see the vehicle and crew killed.
If an engine fails just seconds after liftoff, it would definitely not reach orbit.
But it would still have enough thrust to keep climbing. Question is whether it the thrust vectoring would be powerful enough to keep it controlled long enough for a return-to-launchsite or bailout and ditch in the ocean.
If all three engines failed just after liftoff, I'm guessing that would not be survivable.
Two engines out - I have no idea.
Either way, it would not be a good day.
Coca Cola Cowboy - 1/9/2006 3:45 AM
Hi
I had this dream/nightmare last night about Atlantis. At liftoff of STS-115 one of her main engines didn't start (or malfunctioned directly after liftoff). In the dream, Atlantis wasn't able to make a controlled flight anymore and came dangerously off course. Eventually she smashed into the ground with the SRB's and ET still attached to the vehicle.
A horrible dream of course and my question is, what would really happen if one of the main engines failed during lift-off? Is there a possible escape sequence to be followed so that the Shuttle can make an emergency landing? Or, can the Shuttle in fact still reach orbit with only two of her three engines?
/CCC
Engine out scenarios are covered by the abort sequences: RTLS, TAL, AOA, ATO and Press to MECO. This is basic shuttle info. Read some of the many books on the shuttle or go to the shuttle websites
Jim - 1/9/2006 12:06 PM
or go to the shuttle websites
Like this one.
Thread locked. Question copied to Shuttle Q and A thread.
