2007-06-22 09:08:07 · 9 answers · asked by cbvfd_eng_co_13 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The shuttle is powered down completely, and the crew is taken off by bus. The shuttle is then towed to a hangar where the carried equipment is removed. It is inspected and preparations begin for the next launch.
2007-06-22 09:12:28 · answer #1 · answered by JLynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do have to make sure it is safe for the crew to come out. I think powering down systems so they don't use any more life support than they have to is something which goes on concurrently with checking the runway and gathering transportation. Some of the astronauts are pilots, so they have to turn off the shuttle just like pilots have to turn off a plane.
Incidentally, the shuttle is a glider and there are not supposed to be any thrusters involved in landing (unless they have to perform an emergency landing), so this part is probably not an issue.
There is not much motivation for NASA to keep the astonauts on board longer than they have to...once the crew exits, they spend the next day doing medical tests and checkups, some for health and some for research purposes.
2007-06-22 16:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by Mel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They spend quite a bit of time powering down systems, doing safety checks, and, yes, waiting. They have a crew that goes out on the runway and checks to make sure it's safe to come out. No leaking gas or small undetected fires or anything. The astronauts are kept pretty busy in the meantime, though.
2007-06-22 16:12:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fuel used in the manevering system engines of the shuttle is highly toxic (hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide) so they have to pump any remaining fuel out and make sure the area is well ventilated to keep any potential fumes of it from lingering. Once the area is safed they can pull the astronauts out.
2007-06-22 18:54:53 · answer #4 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They go through a safeing procedure.All the thrusters must be turned off and every thing shut down correctly.
2007-06-22 16:13:10 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They talk about life and death and how awesome it was floating.
or not wearing a diaper and driving all the way to florida
heh
2007-06-22 16:10:55 · answer #6 · answered by labohemianartist 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Running checklists and hitting switches.
2007-06-22 17:18:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Watch for yourself! http://www.nasa.gov/home/
2007-06-22 16:12:11 · answer #8 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*I think I'm gonna hurll....buallhghhghg...ok I'm good...how about you?*
2007-06-22 16:11:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋