2007-07-01 04:49:00 · 7 answers · asked by frankiebrina 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
if you mean to fly across the country itself and land at Kennedy space centre, without the assistance of the ferry flight... no
if you mean on launch, with just the external tank or the orbiters pre loaded fueled engines itself, also no... the Solid rocket boosters provide 70% of the total thrust needed for liftoff.
2007-07-01 07:01:44 · answer #1 · answered by mcdonaldcj 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean the orbiter on its own, no.
There is no fuel tank inside the orbiter to power the main engines. There is no other engine on board with enough power to even budge the 150,000+ lb orbiter. The Orbital Maneuvering System engines and small thrusters could be fired, but would have no real effect.
The space shuttle must be launched with a full external tank and two solid rocket boosters to make it to orbit. Take away any part of that and you get either no flight, or a very attenuated one (and a bad day all around).
2007-07-01 05:01:47 · answer #2 · answered by George M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope a space shuttle in space always glides nothing more.
It cannot be used like an aircraft so cannot take of on its own except with rocket boosters. It can be transferred from one place to the other with a special aircraft.
2007-07-01 05:04:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, when the space shuttle launches it uses booster rockets that are returned to Earth after they're used.
2007-07-01 04:57:32 · answer #4 · answered by ZikZak 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea, thats why they strap it to another plane to fly it to the other side of the country.
2007-07-01 04:57:03 · answer #5 · answered by Hans B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does every time it takes off ,oh there is the boosters.
2007-07-01 07:19:58 · answer #6 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
probable
2007-07-01 04:58:41 · answer #7 · answered by kiaraalways 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋