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#60
by
Flightstar
on 26 Oct, 2005 12:45
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#61
by
Boris the Space Dog
on 26 Oct, 2005 14:18
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Why does the Shuttle "Roll"? Why can't it just arch on the way to Orbit?
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#62
by
Flightstar
on 26 Oct, 2005 14:51
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The reason we do that roll is the launch pad had to be situated in such a way that the Orbiter could not be pointed in the correct direction when we launch.
The launch pad was built for the Saturn Vs and it would have cost a huge amount of cash to resituate them.
Also it is more stable for the Orbiter to ascend in a heads-down configuration - its more stable that way and it also gives the astronauts a view out their window that gives them some orientation to where the earth's horizon.
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#63
by
Orbiter Obvious
on 26 Oct, 2005 15:00
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I didn't know that! I thought it was for some techincal aerodynamic reason How does the Shuttle actually roll, cause I see people say it doesn't use its wings on lift off.
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#64
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Oct, 2005 15:01
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Orbiter Obvious - 26/10/2005 4:00 PM
I didn't know that! I thought it was for some techincal aerodynamic reason How does the Shuttle actually roll, cause I see people say it doesn't use its wings on lift off.
The SRBs nozzles pivot/gimble causing the stack to twist into the roll.
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#65
by
Rocket Guy
on 26 Oct, 2005 19:57
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The reason for the roll is not one but many. It gives the astronauts a view of the horizon out the window; it allows line of sight of the communications (S-band) antenna which is located above the crew cabin; aerodynamic forces and weight balance are lessened a bit (stress is lessened) and the main engine thrust vector is balanced as well.
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#66
by
UK Shuttle Clan
on 27 Oct, 2005 14:00
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What is the fuel in the SRBs? I've heard it being described as 'grain' but any help?
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#67
by
Stardust9906
on 27 Oct, 2005 14:28
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#68
by
UK Shuttle Clan
on 27 Oct, 2005 14:44
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#69
by
Flightstar
on 27 Oct, 2005 14:47
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It is mainly made up of ammonium perchlorate, which is the oxydizer, and aluminum, which is the fuel. It's mixed together with a polymer, which gives it a grain type look. Once that lights, it's very powerful.
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#70
by
newsartist
on 27 Oct, 2005 21:14
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The term 'grain' can also refer to the pattern that is cut into the fuel to provide the right rate of burning, (surface area burning,) to control thrust to what is needed.
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#71
by
FransonUK
on 27 Oct, 2005 21:27
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How do they load the fuel into the SRBs? I know the pump the propellant into the ET, that makes sense, but the SRBs?
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#72
by
newsartist
on 28 Oct, 2005 00:57
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Why is it that you can never find pictures when you want them? I have good shots of the SRB loading in books, and have seen them on the Web, ...but not tonight.
The propellant is poured into each segment, much like concrete or Jello into a mold. It is then cured and hardened into something that can be handled. The exact process is probably a closely guarded company secret.
For at least the segments with the circular hole for the flame path, a plug is in the center of the casing 'mold' and that is later pulled out leaving the void. I have never read if the star-segments are molded that way or machined later. Perhaps someone else can say?
To guard against inconsistancies in the batches of propellant, two cases are loaded in matched pairs so that the thrust is equal on both sides of the stack.
I did find this interesting picture of the special dedicated railcars used to transport the segments to the Cape. Notice the wheel off the track! There may even be pictures of the segment loading elsewhere in this wbsite.
http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/models/vault2004/ksc%20sts%20srb%20segment%20railcars/ksc-00pp-0934.jpg
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#73
by
realtime
on 28 Oct, 2005 02:31
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#74
by
tommy
on 31 Oct, 2005 11:42
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Is it true that the Orbiter actually steers on the way up to orbit by moving its engines not its wings or rudder?
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#75
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Oct, 2005 11:53
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tommy - 31/10/2005 12:42 PM
Is it true that the Orbiter actually steers on the way up to orbit by moving its engines not its wings or rudder?
Tommy, yes they do use the engines for 'steering'. Go and have a look at some of the longer length launch videos on the video vault section.....you'll hear them mentioning "the main engines are gently 'gimbling' for a precise key hole in space for main engine cut off".
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#76
by
tommy
on 31 Oct, 2005 12:00
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Ah right, yeah. I've heard that before but now it makes sense.
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#77
by
Tahii
on 01 Nov, 2005 04:46
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If they used the rudder or alierons, they'd be ripped off, considering the speed of launch.
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#78
by
Shuttle Scapegoat
on 01 Nov, 2005 19:36
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Has anyone got any images of the areas of the Orbiter's belly where the propellants goes from the ET to the Orbiter?
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#79
by
Martin FL
on 01 Nov, 2005 21:25
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Yeah, you see the red squares around them here. Picture from spaceflightnow.
