and if so, how fast could it go? Thanks for any enlightening answers.
2006-12-20 17:44:49 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I beg to differ with the other knowledgeable collegues on this issue.
If the shuttle carried some extra fuel in its cargo bay and stored it at the Int'l Space Station, then came back to Earth and repeated the process, the astronauts could assemble and attach an external tank on the underside and fire the main engine on the shuttle for about 15-17 minutes to point it towards the moon with a lander enclosed inside the cargo bay.
Once the Shuttle approached the moon, it could fire the main engine to slow to an orbital speed and launch the lander to land on the moon.
The shuttle, itself, cannot land on the moon because it is designed to use air as a braking device and also as a control device while landing on the runway. Since there is no air on the moon, the wings would be useless. That's why it would need to carry a lander inside the cargo bay to actually make the landing.
This is how people at JPL and NASA are figuring out how to go to Mars:
They are planning on assembling a huge rocket at the Int'l Space Station because one that big could never be launched from Earth's surface. Once it's assembled, they will stock it with the supplies, fuel it up, and depart Earth orbit for the 9-month one-way journey to Mars.
Wanna go with me? I plan on going...
Mack
2006-12-20 18:14:43 · answer #1 · answered by Big Mack 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
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".)
2006-12-21 00:50:55 · answer #2 · answered by Otis F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lacking any knowledge of the actual thrust of the rear thrusters, this is a pretty tough question to address.
The main engines would be useless - as they feed off the large external tank, which is discarded during orbital entry.
It is certainly possible that one could calculate an orbital path, using the aft thrusters and enter an outward spiraling orbit that intersected the moons orbit - just a matter of thrust versus mass in combination with lunar orbit.
However the shuttle could not land... and the trip could take weeks or months depending on how much thrust can be provided by the thrusters...
Hope this helps a bit.
2006-12-20 17:51:15 · answer #3 · answered by delicateharmony 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is possible the space shuttle could reach the moon if it fired its rocket thrusters while in orbit. It is also possible the shuttle could disintegrate in space or be "lost in space" forever.
Each space shuttle has a specific mission; to deviate from that mission could produce disastrous results. Precision, and a specific mission, is calculated and determined before any shuttle is sent into "space". Astronauts don't capriciously deviate assigned coordinates.
The "window of opportunity" has to be exact before a shuttle is sent into space. That same "window" has to exist for the shuttle to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and have a successful landing. Too many people just assume you "shoot" some people into space and they will return safely. One little miscalculation and the U.S. and other countries sending live human beings into space, could have people orbiting the Earth for years, years, years, years!
2006-12-20 18:17:28 · answer #4 · answered by Baby Poots 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the shuttle does not carry anywhere near enough fuel to escape Earth orbit. Even if the cargo bay were filled with a full fuel tank that weighed the maximum that the shuttle could carry, it would not be nearly enough to escape Earth orbit.
2006-12-21 00:41:00 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely! How many people get the chance to go into space and walk on another world. I'd go in an instant.
2016-05-23 03:59:52 · answer #6 · answered by Elizabeth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It doesn't carry even close to enough rocket fuel to achieve the necessary transfer orbit.
2006-12-20 17:52:41 · answer #7 · answered by Mark H 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
nope - only enough to slow it down to get back home -
takes a lot to break earth orbit and head out
2006-12-20 17:48:27 · answer #8 · answered by tomkat1528 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, not enough fuel to escape earth gravity and make it that far.
2006-12-20 17:49:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋