Why do rockets lift off vertically?
Rockets launched from the surface of the Earth are launched vertically so as to pass through the thickest part of the atmosphere at relatively low speeds.
Why does Space Shuttle launch vertically?
A gravity turn is commonly used with rocket powered vehicles that launch vertically, like the Space Shuttle. The rocket begins by flying straight up, gaining both vertical speed and altitude. During this portion of the launch, gravity acts directly against the thrust of the rocket, lowering its vertical acceleration.
How is it possible for rockets to lift off from Earth?
Rockets take off by burning fuel. Burning fuel produces gas as a byproduct, which escapes the rocket with a lot of force. The force of the gas escaping provides enough thrust to power the rocket upwards and escape the the force of gravity pulling it back to Earth. Simple!
What thrust does the Space Shuttle experience during launch?
Each Space Shuttle Main Engine operates at a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen mixture ratio of 6 to 1 to produce a sea level thrust of 179,097 kilograms (375,000 pounds) and a vacuum thrust of 213,188 (470,000 pounds).
How does lift off and launch affect humans?
NASA doctors studying travel that can take toll on organs, skin, bones. Thin skin, floppy muscles, misshaped eyeballs and a weak heart. Those are just some of the effects a trip to space can have on the human body.
What was the first Space Shuttle to launch vertically?
The remaining orbiters were fully operational spacecraft, and were launched vertically as part of the Space Shuttle stack. Columbia was the first space-worthy orbiter, and made its inaugural flight in 1981. Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis followed in 1983, 1984, and 1985 respectively.
What challenges did the Space Shuttle have to overcome?
One of the first challenges in the development of the Space Shuttle was its aerodynamic design, which had to satisfy the conflicting requirements of a spacecraft-like re-entry into the Earth窶冱 atmosphere where blunt objects have certain advantages, but it needed wings that would allow it to achieve an aircraft-like runway landing.
How did the landing gear of the Space Shuttle orbiter work?
The Space Shuttle orbiter had three sets of landing gear which emerged downwards through doors in the heat shield. As a weight-saving measure, the gear could not be retracted once deployed.
Why did NASA change the shape of the Space Shuttle nose?
As a result of subsequent aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic testing and analysis, NASA made the nose more spherical to reduce heating and used a double delta wing planform due to the severe heating encountered by straight wings and the horizontal stabilizer.