2007-10-27 05:36:00 · 5 answers · asked by mypfsman 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I did not mean land. just orbit. I guess the translunar injection burn is the limiting factor.
2007-10-27 05:49:32 · update #1
1: It takes all the fuel in the external tank and the solid rocket boosters just to get the orbiter to orbit. It would need extra fuel to get to the Moon.
2: The thermal protection system is designed for re-entry from orbital speed (17,500mph), not translunar speed (25,000mph). It would need to be redesigned or else even more fuel would be needed to slow it down prior to re-entry.
3: The shuttle is not designed structurally for re-entry at translunar speeds. Again, more fuel is required.
So you'd need loads of extra fuel to get the shuttle to the Moon. It's easier to build a specialised vehicle than force something that was never designed for the trip to make it.
2007-10-27 09:50:14 · answer #1 · answered by Jason T 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The space shuttle is just designed for orbiting and getting to the ISS and back. Not all the way to the moon.
2007-10-27 05:45:54 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No.
Not enough fuel.
Where on the moon is there a suitable runway for the landing ?
How, on the moon, do you propose to refuel it for the return trip ?
Ian M
2007-10-27 05:45:32 · answer #3 · answered by Ian M 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Space shuttle can ever return from Mars then what is the moon then
2007-10-27 05:53:52 · answer #4 · answered by CHIA 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
No, it doesn't (and can't) carry enough fuel.
2007-10-27 05:39:58 · answer #5 · answered by ZikZak 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋