2006-07-17 00:34:06 · 6 answers · asked by G.B M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A short blast from the shuttle's thrusters.
2006-07-17 00:38:07 · answer #1 · answered by Pascal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two things - momentum "An object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted on by an external force" - both the station and shuttle were going in the same direction, so even when uncoupled they will stay in relative position to each other unless acted on by something.
The second thing is the even minute forces involved in the trace amount of air in the seal and the force of the clamps letting go. Add in a TINY amount of trust from the exaust from the thrusters and you have motion.
2006-07-17 00:43:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does not need air to move forward. remember Newton's Laws of Motion? Equal and opposite reaction.
Imagine a boy holding, say, an apple, floating in a vaccum in space. OK, make him wear a spacesuit so he doesn't die. If he throws the apple away from him, he and the apple will travel in opposite directions. It's not only the apple that will move, but the boy also. The only difference is that the apple will move faster than the boy, because its mass is smaller than the boy. This is so the vectors/forces balance out.
The shuttle accomplishes the same thing by using rocket thrusters. In essence, you can imagine that the shuttle is continously throwing apples (thrust) so that it will move...
2006-07-17 00:44:51 · answer #3 · answered by wini_da_cutie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A set of springs in the coupler. When it gets far enough away it uses small thrusters..
2006-07-17 01:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by Greg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has fuel burning thrusters. They don't require air. You may want to think about changing the air in your head.
2006-07-17 00:38:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has its own thrusters ( small rockets) to give the motion.
2006-07-17 00:54:39 · answer #6 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋