as this sounds like a weekness in the atmospheire is this window the hole in the ozone layer. and if so does it get bigger every time the shuttle goes through it?
2007-08-22 21:57:39 · 13 answers · asked by strongbow 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The window is just the terminology for the point at which they need to re-enter to ensure they land at roughtly the right place on the planets surface as they have very little control over the steering of the shuttle as it comes in, since it has no engine to control it at that point.
Otherwise they would be landing in the sea, or Russia or any other random place in the world... you can imagine how that would go down with the Russians or the Iraq'is..!!
2007-08-22 22:04:14 · answer #1 · answered by bigman2ab 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The shuttle has a primary landing site, usually at Kennedy Space Center, and it also has a backup site in case the runway at Kennedy is unusable or the shuttle needs a little extra time to wrap things up. The backup site is often one of the Air Force bases in the southwest US, such as Edwards or White Sands. Each site has at least one window, often more depending on mission parameters. If both windows are missed, the shuttle remains in orbit for several hours until the opportunity returns. In case of an emergency, especially during launch and ascent, the shuttle has several contingency landing sites on the east coast and in Europe and Africa. This list is constantly being reviewed and revised due to changing concerns such as security and operational parameters. Fortunately, these abort landing sites have never been used.
2016-05-20 22:24:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're way off. The term "window" refers to a time period. Bear in mind that the Shuttle is orbiting at 17,500 miles an hour. It has to start it's re-entry at a certain point, more or less, in order to slow down to landing speed at the right place on Earth (usually Kennedy Space Center). If they start too early, the Shuttle will be short of its landing point--if they wait too long, they'll overshoot into the Atlantic Ocean. The period of time in each orbit they can safely start reentry is the "window."
2007-08-23 01:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No the window is where to hit the atmosphere to return to The Cape . After they fire the retro rockets it will slow at about 1000 mph for each minute . After that the only motors is the small thrusters to maintain the stability ,and as no other power it is important to calculate your window correctly or u might land in the swamp.
2007-08-23 02:34:16 · answer #4 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it refers to the conditions the shuttle requires for a good landing for example the weather etc.
2007-08-22 22:03:41 · answer #5 · answered by mik_se7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they did not have a window they could not see where are going 'only joking' what most of our friends are writing in are right its an opportunity
good weather conditions
2007-08-22 22:17:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are talking about a "window of time" where conditions are right. This may be cloud cover or any obstruction.
2007-08-22 22:02:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A WINDOW IS WHEN THE CORRECT ENTRY ATTITUDE CAN BE ATTAINED FOR THE RETURN, COMBINED WITH THE TIME AND FUEL AVAILABLE,TO GIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF COMPLETION.
2007-08-22 22:06:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course they need a window, you try flying a thing that size through a hole in the atmosphere, they have special people in helicopters to open it at the right moment so it wont break the glass. ......I don't believe I have answered this...I am cracking up.....MEDIC, Medic
2007-08-22 22:15:41 · answer #9 · answered by Lord Percy Fawcette-Smythe. 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
SOUNDS MORE LIKE THEY ARE REFERRING TO A WINDOW IN TIME....MEANING WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FAVOURABLE.
2007-08-22 22:04:04 · answer #10 · answered by Gottaloveher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋