What are three tasks that space shuttles perform?

The shuttle was capable of launching like a rocket, reentering Earth’s atmosphere like a capsule, and flying like a glider for a runway landing. It could rendezvous and dock precisely, and serve as a platform for scientific research within a range of disciplines that included biotechnology and radar mapping.

How have space shuttles improved?

Improvements were made in the thrust vector control, auxiliary power unit, avionics, pyrotechnic, the range safety system, parachutes, thermal protection, forward and aft structures and recovery systems. The space shuttle solid rocket boosters were the only recoverable and refurbishable system ever developed and flown.

What were the 3 main components of a space shuttle *?

The space shuttle was made of three main parts: the orbiter, the external tank and the solid rocket boosters. The orbiter was the part that looked like an airplane. The orbiter flew around Earth.

What are some tasks space shuttles have been used for?

NASA’s space shuttle was the world’s first reusable spacecraft. It launched like a rocket and returned to Earth like a glider, landing like an airplane on a long concrete runway. It was designed to carry large payloads — such as satellites — into orbit and bring them back, if necessary, for repairs.

What was one benefit of the space shuttle?

Science from the space shuttle helped open Earth’s eyes to the cosmos and sister planets. It created perhaps the most detailed topographical map of Earth. And it even is helping doctors understand, and sometimes fix, what’s happening in our aging and ailing bodies.

Why do space shuttles and airplanes differ in design?

A: Aircraft fly through air and spacecraft fly in space. In space, there is no air, so a spacecraft cannot be designed the same as an aircraft. There won’t be drag or lift, so planes cannot fly.

Why was the space shuttle so big?

Shuttles are large due to all the equipment needed for astronauts, the tanks neccesary to hold the fuel necessary for the trip to low Earth orbit, a living compartment for astronauts, and a cargo bay to carry different payloads into space.

What are the important parts of space shuttle?

The Space Shuttle consists of three major components: the Orbiter which houses the crew; a large External Tank that holds fuel for the main engines; and two Solid Rocket Boosters which provide most of the Shuttle’s lift during the first two minutes of flight.

Was the space shuttle program successful?

It launched like a rocket, handled like a spacecraft in orbit, and flew home like a glider. It was the first reusable spacecraft to carry humans to space. It demonstrated the success of new technologies and returned America to flight after the Apollo program ended. The space shuttle was a ship like no other.

What is an advantage of a space shuttle compared to a space probe?

The main advantage is that it is reusable. What is a space shuttle’s main advantage? Space Shuttles perform many important tasks such as, taking satellites into orbit, repairing damaged satellites, and carrying astronauts and equipment to and from space stations.