Space Shuttle with lots of engines

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iamlucky13
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Space Shuttle with lots of engines

Post by iamlucky13 » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:52 pm

Most people don't realize how many engines it takes to move around in space. The three big ones are the Space Shuttle main engines, which are used only during launch and fueled entirely by the external tank. The orange glow is due to the sun shining nearly straight down into the engines, reflecting off the copper plated throat.

The next largest is the two Orbital Maneuvering system engines, which are used for large velocity changes in space, such as catching up to the ISS or deorbiting. These are built into removable pods that include the hypergolic fuel tanks.

Finally there is the reaction control system, which is used to turn the shuttle in space and make small movements, such as when docking with the space station. Five engines are visible in each pod, plus four pointing out each side and three pointing downward. 11 more RCS engines are mounted in the nose of the shuttle for a total of 35 RCS engines.

Original image source:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/ima ... 32429.html

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"Any man whose errors take ten years to correct is quite a man." ~J. Robert Oppenheimer (speaking about Albert Einstein)

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