how long does it take a space shuttle to reach the moon?

Question

my daughter needs to know for school!

Answer 1

the space shuttle is basically designed to place satellites in orbit and is not for going to the moon. if it could it would take approx 2 to 3 days. in the 60's when we actually could go to moon the apollo program used massive saturn five rockets just to get out of earth orbit. nasa are currently working on a new rocket based moon program. try www.nasa.com for more info.

Answer 2

The shuttle's navigation computers and life support systems could support a mission to the moon easily. With the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) pad in the cargo bay, there would be enough supplies for a 16-day mission.

However, as you point out, the ET (external tank) is discarded on the way to orbit. If you could some how dock with a fuel tank, the shuttle could easily travel to the moon and back. 4.5 million pounds of thrust is plenty for TLI and to reenter Earth orbit on the way back.

(The shuttle would have to reenter Earth orbit before landing. The thermal protection systems are designed for a reentry from LEO at 17,500 mph -- not a direct return from the moon at 25,000 mph.)

Another problem you'd have is landing on the moon. The shuttle is not equipped for that sort of landing. So, you'd have to carry a small lander in the cargo bay.

It's a fun idea, but it isn't really practical. It would be a lot easier to launch a proper moon mission using 3 or 4 shuttle missions to carry the pieces of the spacecraft to orbit and then dock them together.

By the way, if you would like to read about a shuttle mission to the moon, read Homer Hickham's book "Back to the Moon". He is a former shuttle mission planner and trainer. He wrote "Back to the Moon" about just such a mission. It's a fun read. Don't take it seriously. Hickham also wrote "Rocket Boys" an autobiographical story about his life and how he became a NASA engineer. It was turned into the movie "October Sky". (Note that "October Sky" is an anagram of "Rocket Boys".)

Answer 3

It doesn't.

The Space Shuttle is just that; a shuttle between the surface of the Earth and the near space around the earth. A Space Shuttle has never gone beyond the
immediate space around the earth to any other planet
or moon. A space rocket ship has done that. These
rocket ships had huge fuel tanks and big solid fuel
rocket engines for long travel times.

A rocket ship flight to the moon takes about 3 days, and about 3 days to return. You might have to add a day or two to that forecast depending upon the weather at the landing site. It is adviseable to wait for clear weather for such an important landing.

Answer 4

No space shuttle has ever been to the moon.

It has been suggested that if the primary fuel tank were retained into orbit instead of jettisoned, and it were re-filled with fuel and oxidizer from a series of other shuttles, that it would in fact be possible to put a shuttle into lunar orbit. If so, this would be a three-day trip each way. The shuttle could carry a small lander like the original LEM.

Answer 5

The space shuttle does not have enough fuel to reach the moon. Take a look at the Saturn 5 rockets: they are IMMENSE, and the Apollo payload is much smaller than the Shuttle orbiter. Clearly the shuttle cannot get above low earth orbit.

Answer 6

The space shuttle is designed to be a low earth orbit vehicle. It's booster rockets and internal engines will only put it into an orbit around the earth. The shuttle can launch other satellites into orbit but cannot leave earth's orbit.

Answer 7

The space shuttle is incapable of reaching the moon. The best it can manage is low Earth orbit.

Answer 8

we don't know as the space shuttle is an earth orbiter and has never traveled to the moon.

Answer 9

If it could, 3 days....