2007-12-23 10:46:51 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Other than the heat of the exhast gasses from the rocket, no, not really.
2007-12-23 10:51:18 · answer #1 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spacecraft when aboard their launch vehicles are not exposed to high temperatures during the ascent. They are always enclosed in a protective fairing. Once above the sensible atmosphere, the fairing becomes dead weight, so once the first stage shuts down and separates, the fairing is also released and follows the first stage down into the sea. It is possible for a spacecraft to be exposed to extreme temperatures in space however. The MESSENGER space craft is due to approach Mercury on January 14th. The side exposed to the Sun will exceed 800 degrees Fahrenheit because Mercury gets as much as 11 times as much energy as the Earth does per square meter. Even in Earth orbit, the Sunward side of a spacecraft or satellite can reach 400 degrees. Because of this, spacecraft have to have systems built into them for controlling their internal temperature. Otherwise failure of their electronics or electrical systems will occur, and the spacecraft will be lost.
2007-12-23 19:33:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that the friction protection required during re-entry is not an issue during launch due to the lower speeds involved.
What you may be concerned about is the rather dramatic plumes that surround the spacecraft during the launch itself. One thing you should know about this is that the launch facilities are equipped with water pumps that drench the main engine side of the pad with thousands of gallons of water for noise suppression. Most of the "smoke" that you see is either steam from this water or exhaust from the solid boosters that is directed away from the spacecraft on the other side via trenches. The spacecraft itself sees very little direct heat except in the combustion chambers and nozzles of the engines, and they are designed for it. One exception, unfortunately, was when a seal leaked on one of the Challenger boosters, allowing flame to pass out through the side and impinge on the fuel tank, resulting in the tragic loss of the vehicle and crew.
2007-12-23 19:48:36 · answer #3 · answered by Larry454 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The friction is minimal, plus the higher you go, the colder it gets. Jet airliners routinely travel at temperature ranges well below freezing. So a spacecraft during launch would not be subjected much heat at all.
2007-12-23 18:55:02 · answer #4 · answered by someone else 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The heat shield is for protection during re-entry.
The heat is from plume and exhaust has during launch.
2007-12-23 19:26:51 · answer #5 · answered by chanljkk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not really, the ascent is much slower than the descent because the craft is fighting AGAINST gravity, not with it. Therefore the friction against the atmosphere is less, meaning less heat.
2007-12-23 18:52:29 · answer #6 · answered by Trekky0623 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rockets generate trmendous ammounts of heat, but other than that no, at least not anything like re-entering the atmosphere!
2007-12-23 19:08:35 · answer #7 · answered by Midnight-Expressman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes when going threw the atmosphere there is emense friction, causing the space craft to become very hot
2007-12-23 21:07:45 · answer #8 · answered by Valentine Smith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋