I understand that the space shuttle needs rockets to get up into space, why can't they put small rockets inside the ship. also why extacly do they need big rockets and what do they excatly do besides burn off fuel?
2007-01-23 06:47:22 · 7 answers · asked by morgana_tyler 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
They need those huge rockets to escape the pull of the Earth gravity. That is no easy job for a launcher that weights 4,474,574 lbs.
Once it's up there, the guy above me is right, dump 'em - less weight to carry around, less baggage. Not to mention, what happens to them when you attempt re-entry. The things would probably rip the shuttle up!
2007-01-23 06:58:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
F = Ma; where M = the mass of the fuel (mf), rockets (mr), and shuttle (ms) and a is the acceleration of the whole mass as it lifts off the launch site. Thus M = mf + mr + ms
As a solid rocket (the external ones) burns off fuel, M decreases as mf burns off. When the fuel burns out M becomes mr + ms. This means the mass of the rockets has to be moved around as well as the mass of the shuttle by the internal thrusters. But the internal thrusters, for maneuvering around the space station for example, are relatively small and put out relatively little thrust (force).
Since f = (mr + ms)a; where f is the internal thrusters force, it makes no sense to carry around the rocket mass (mr) when they are burned out and useless. So they are ejected right after they burn out. This leaves just the shuttle mass (ms) in the equation f = ms X a; and therefore a = f/ms and the amount of force created by the internal thrusters can be somewhat less than would otherwise be needed if the rockets were still attached.
Why do they need the big, external rockets? Because the entire mass of the shuttle (ms) is still very large; so a big force is needed to get that big mass moving (accelerating) upward against the pull of gravity. Thus, even though they add mass by the fuel and external rockets, the extra force gained by the external rockets more than compensates for that added mass.
2007-01-23 15:12:21 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shuttle does have it's own launch engines. The three large engine bells are the SSMEs, Space Shuttle Main Engines. They are used during the entire 8 and a half minute launch, and provide most of the thrust. They burn hydrogen as a fuel. The big orange fuel tank holds all the liquid H2 and liquid O2 for these engines. Because their only byproduct is water, they flame is tough to see and they produce no smoke.
The solid rocket boosters use a solid fuel that produces a big bright flame and a nasty smoke plume. They are used for extra thrust during the first 2 minutes to help the shuttle get started and get above the thickest part of the atmosphere.
Once the shuttle reaches orbit, it detaches the main external tank, and it can no longer use it's SSMEs. It has two smaller engines called the OMS engines (Orbiter Maneuvering System). They use those for making orbital adjustments and eventually deorbit for reentry.
2007-01-23 15:21:29 · answer #3 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The weight of the rocket is immense, that is why they can not integrate the rocket inside the space shuttle, besides burning fuel the rocket helps the shuttle shoot out of the earth's atmosphere which needs a lot of force.
Lighter the space shuttle the more controllable it is. without froce you cannot exit the earth. no way out. what they are doing now is the best way out, unless if someone invents light weight rockets and come up with a stronger material to sustain force when space shuttle exits the earths atmosphere.
2007-01-23 15:00:19 · answer #4 · answered by Jigga 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lockheed-Martin was developing a "reusable" shuttle, the X-33. However, funding for the program was cut.
The shuttle needs the fuel from the rocket to reach its oribt.
2007-01-23 14:56:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The external boosters are solid fuel booster rockets. They carry their own fuel. The shuttle needs the help to get to orbit. When they spend their fuel, they fall off.
2007-01-23 14:53:29 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because taking them all the way up AND back down is a problem. It's easier & economic to get rid of the systems you don't need as soon as possible, and carrying around the extra weight is just more cumbersome and costly when you don't need it after getting into space.
2007-01-23 14:51:58 · answer #7 · answered by MarauderX 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋