2007-04-10 02:11:09 · 6 answers · asked by hanikO nakamura 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's a glider and comes zinging onto the runway. No go around for a second chance to line up with the runway. The glide ratio sucks.
2007-04-10 02:17:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space shuttles use rockets, not jets for power. Which means they bring their own oxidizer to burn the fuel, planes use oxygen in the atmosphere to burn their fuel.
Shuttles have a thermal protection systems for leaving and entering the earths atmosphere, planes never leave the atmosphere.
Planes can launch under their own power. Shuttles require external power and fuel sources to take off. The rocket boosters and external fuel tanks.
Empty tanks and boosters are jettisoned from the shuttle to help the shuttle escape the earths gravity. Plane don't jettison any parts in flight.
The shuttle is only slightly more aerodynamic than a brick and glides into landing. Planes require extensive aerodynamic design to takeoff and land under their own power.
Those are just the bigger more obvious ones, basically its easier to list what they both have in common, which is not much more extensive than the both are flown by pilots and have wings.
2007-04-10 02:22:06 · answer #2 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
space shuttles set a great speed and force to escape the earth's gravity
2007-04-10 02:33:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jeniv the Brit 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The main difference is that it doesn't use air to burn the fuel, it needs to carry its own oxidizers. Also it doesn't use engines to return, it glides back. The rest are details.
2007-04-10 02:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they're a lot more sophisticated than airplanes because they have to travel in space.
2007-04-10 06:59:26 · answer #5 · answered by neutron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the wings don't flap
2007-04-10 03:04:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋