The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. (Image Credit: NASA/KSC)

The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines (SSME) in the orbiter during lift-off and ascent. The ET is jettisoned 18 seconds after the SSMEs are shut down, and re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. It breaks up before impact in the Indian Ocean (or Pacific Ocean in the case of direct-insertion launch trajectories, which are currently utilized) away from known shipping lanes. It is not reusable, unlike the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB). Image File history File links Externaltank. ... Image File history File links Externaltank. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle vehicle. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle vehicle. ... LH2 is an acronym used in the aerospace industry, which stands for Liquid Hydrogen. ... Liquid oxygen (also LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace industry) is the liquid form of oxygen. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ...

Overview

STS-1 at liftoff. The External Tank was painted white for the first two Space Shuttle launches. From STS-3 on, it was left unpainted.

The ET is the largest element of the space shuttle, and when loaded, it is also the heaviest. It consists of three major components: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (700x813, 126 KB) A launch of the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (700x813, 126 KB) A launch of the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. ...

• the forward liquid oxygen tank
• an unpressurized intertank that contains most of the electrical components
• the aft liquid hydrogen tank; this is the largest part, but it is relatively light.

The ET is the "backbone" of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support for attachment with the solid rocket boosters and orbiter. The tank is connected to each SRB at one forward attachment point and one aft point, and it is connected to the orbiter at one forward attachment point and two aft points. In the aft attachment area, there are also umbilicals that carry fluids, gases, electrical signals and electrical power between the tank and the orbiter. Electrical signals and controls between the orbiter and the two solid rocket boosters also are routed through those umbilicals. General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance transparent (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... A subset of the phases of matter, fluids include liquids, gases, plasmas and, to some extent, plastic solids. ... A gas is one of the four main phases of matter (after solid and liquid, and followed by plasma), that subsequently appear as a solid material is subjected to increasingly higher temperatures. ... The article on electrical energy is located elsewhere. ...

Evolution of the ET

Standard Weight Tank

The original ET is informally known as the Standard Weight Tank (SWT). The first two, used in STS-1 and STS-2, were painted white. As a weight-saving measure, Lockheed Martin ceased painting the external tanks beginning with STS-3, leaving only the clear primer over the now-trademark rust-colored insulation, saving approximately 600 pounds of weight.^[1] The first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1, launched April 12, 1981, returned April 14. ... STS-2 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Columbia, launched November 12, 1981. ... STS-3 was the third space shuttle mission, and was the third mission for the Space Shuttle Columbia. ...

After STS-4, several hundred pounds were eliminated by deleting the anti-geyser line (the line paralleled the oxygen feed line and provided a circulation path for liquid oxygen to reduce accumulation of gaseous oxygen in the feed line while the oxygen tank was being filled before launch). After propellant loading data from ground tests and the first few space shuttle missions was assessed, the anti-geyser line was removed for subsequent missions. The total length and diameter of the ET remain unchanged. The last SWT tank, flown on STS-7, weighed approximately 77,000 pounds (35 t) inert. STS-4 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Columbia, launched June 27, 1982. ... A gas is one of the four main phases of matter (after solid and liquid, and followed by plasma), that subsequently appear as a solid material is subjected to increasingly higher temperatures. ... A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ... STS-7 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched June 18, 1983. ...

Lightweight Tank

Beginning with the STS-6 mission, a lightweight ET (LWT), was introduced. This tank was used for the majority of the Shuttle flights, and was last used on the ill-fated STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia flight. Although the tanks varied slightly in weight, each weighed approximately 66,000 pounds (30 t) inert. STS-6 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched April 4, 1983. ... The STS-107 crewmembers strike a ‘flying’ pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait in the SPACEHAB aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... The pound is the name of a number of units of mass, all in the range of 300 to 600 grams. ...

The weight reduction from the SWT was accomplished by eliminating portions of stringers (structural stiffeners running the length of the hydrogen tank), using fewer stiffener rings and by modifying major frames in the hydrogen tank. Also, significant portions of the tank were milled differently to reduce thickness, and the weight of the ET's aft solid rocket booster attachments were reduced by using a stronger, yet lighter and less expensive titanium alloy. Cutters for a milling machine. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... General Name, Symbol, Number titanium, Ti, 22 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 4, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Atomic mass 47. ...

Super Lightweight Tank

The Super Lightweight Tank (SLWT) was first flown in 1998 on STS-91 and has been used since with only two exceptions (STS-99 and STS-107). The SLWT is basically the same design as the LWT except that it uses an Aluminum/Lithium alloy (Al 2195) for a large part of the tank structure. This alloy provides a significant reduction in tank weight (~7000 lbs) over the LWT. The disadvantages of the SLWT are its increased cost (~$5M) and production time (~4 months) when compared to the LWT. Although all ETs currently produced are of the SLWT configuration, one LWT remains in inventory and can be used if requested. This is a mission of the United States Space Shuttle // Crew Charles J. Precourt (4), Commander Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie (1), Pilot Wendy B. Lawrence (3), Mission Specialist Franklin R. Chang-Diaz (6), Mission Specialist Janet L. Kavandi (1), Mission Specialist Valery Victorovitch Ryumin (4), Mission Specialist - Russia Landed and... This is a mission of the United States Space Shuttle // Crew Kevin R. Kregel (4), Mission Commander Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie (2), Pilot Janet L. Kavandi (2), Mission Specialist Janice E. Voss (5), Mission Specialist Mamoru Mohri (2), Mission Specialist (NASDA) - Japan Gerhard P.J. Thiele (1), Mission Specialist - Germany... The STS-107 crewmembers strike a ‘flying’ pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait in the SPACEHAB aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. ...

The barge carrying ET-119 is towed to Port Canaveral.

Image File history File links Sts_et_barge. ... Image File history File links Sts_et_barge. ...

Technical data

SLWT Specifications

• Length: 153.8 ft (46.9 m)
• Diameter: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)
• Empty Weight: 58,500 lb (26,559 kg)
• Gross Liftoff Weight: 1.680 million lb (762,136 kg)

LOX tank

• Length: 54.6 ft (16.6 m)
• Diameter: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)
• Volume (at 22 psig): 19,541.66 cubic feet; 146,181 gallons (553,355 liters)
• LOX mass (at 22 psig): 1,387,457 lb (629,340 kg)
• Operation Pressure: 20-22 psig (138-152 kPa (gauge))

Intertank Pounds-force per square inch (lbf/in²) is a non-SI unit of pressure. ...

• Length: 22.6 ft (6.9 m)
• Diameter: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)

LH2 tank

• Length: 97.0 ft (29.5 m)
• Diameter: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)
• Volume (at 29.3 psig): 52,881.61 cubic feet; 395,582 gallons (1,497,440 liters)
• LH2 mass (at 29.3 psig): 234,265 lb (106,261 kg)
• Operation Pressure: 32-34 psia (221-235 kPa (absolute))

Contractor

The contractor for the external tank is Lockheed Martin (previously Martin Marietta), New Orleans, Louisiana. The tank is manufactured at the Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, and is transported to Kennedy Space Center by a barge. Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... Martin Marietta Corporation was founded in 1961 through the merger of The Martin Company and American-Marietta Corporation. ... Michoud Assembly Facility in 1968 The Michoud Assembly Facility is an 832 acre (3. ... New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the NASA space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) at Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island in Florida, United States. ...

Components

The ET has three primary structures: an LO2 tank, an intertank, and an LH2 tank. Both tanks are constructed of aluminum alloy skins with support or stability frames as required. The intertank aluminum structure utilizes skin stringers with stabilizing frames. The primary aluminum materials used for all three structures are 2195 and 2090 alloys. AL 2195 is an Al-Li alloy designed by Lockheed Martin and Reynolds for storage of cryogenics. Al 2090 is a commercially available Al-Li alloy.

A cutaway diagram of External Tank.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x480, 110 KB) Summary A diagram of space shuttle external tank. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x480, 110 KB) Summary A diagram of space shuttle external tank. ...

Liquid oxygen tank

The LO2 tank is located at the top of the ET and has an ogive shape to reduce aerodynamic drag and aerothermodynamic heating. The ogive nose section is capped by a flat removable cover plate and a nose cone. The nose cone consists of a removable conical assembly that serves as an aerodynamic fairing for the propulsion and electrical system components. The forward most element of the nose cone functions as a cast aluminum lightning rod. The LO2 tank volume is 19,744 cubic feet at 22 psig and -297 *F (cryogenic). An ogive is a curved shape, figure, or feature. ...

The tank feeds into a 17 inch (430 mm) diameter feed line that conveys the liquid oxygen through the intertank, then outside the ET to the aft right-hand ET / orbiter disconnect umbilical. The 17 inch (430 mm) diameter feed line permits liquid oxygen to flow at approximately 2,787 lb/s (1264 kg/s) with the SSMEs operating at 104 % or permits a maximum flow of 17,592 gal/min (1.1099 m³/s).

All loads except aerodynamic loads are transferred from the LO2 tank at a bolted, flange-joint interface with the intertank.

The LO2 tank also includes an internal slosh baffle and a vortex baffle to dampen fluid slosh. The vortex baffle is mounted over the LO2 feed outlet to reduce fluid swirl resulting from slosh and to prevent entrapment of gases in the delivered LO2.

Intertank

The intertank is the ET structural connection which joins both the LO2 and LH2 tanks. Its primary functions are to receive and distribute all thrust loads from the SRBs and transfer loads between the tanks.

The SRB two forward attach fittings are located 180° apart on the intertank structure. A beam is extended across the intertank structure and is mechanically fastened to the attach fittings. When the SRBs are firing, the beam will flex due to high stress loads. These loads will be transferred to the fittings.

Adjoining the SRB attach fittings is a major ring frame. The loads are transferred from the fittings to the major ring frame which then distributes the tangential loads to the intertank skin. Two panels of the intertank skin, called the thrust panels, distribute the concentrated axial SRB thrust loads to the LO2 and LH2 tanks and to adjacent intertank skin panels. These adjacent panels are comprised of six stringer-stiffened panels.

The intertank also functions as a protective compartment for housing the operational instrumentation.

Liquid hydrogen tank

The 70-foot-long, 17-inch-diameter liquid oxygen feedline runs externally along the right side of the liquid hydrogen tank up and into the intertank. Two 5-inch-diameter re-pressurization lines run beside it. One supplies hydrogen gas to liquid hydrogen tank and the other supplies oxygen gas to liquid oxygen tank. They are used to maintain the ullage pressure in each tank during the launch.

The LH2 tank is the bottom portion of the ET. The tank is constructed of four cylindrical barrel sections, a forward dome, and an aft dome. The barrel sections are joined together by five major ring frames. These ring frames receive and distribute loads. The forward dome-to-barrel frame distributes the loads applied through the intertank structure and is also the flange for attaching the LH2 tank to the intertank. The aft major ring receives orbiter-induced loads from the aft orbiter support struts and SRB-induced loads from the aft SRB support struts. The remaining three ring frames distribute orbiter thrust loads and LO2 feedline support loads. Loads from the frames are then distributed through the barrel skin panels. The LH2 tank has a volume of 53,488 cubic feet at 29.3 psig and -423 °F (cryogenic). Image File history File links Sts_et1. ... Image File history File links Sts_et1. ...

The forward and aft domes have the same modified ellipsoidal shape. For the forward dome, mounting provisions are incorporated for the LH2 vent valve, the LH2 pressurization line fitting, and the electrical feed-through fitting. The aft dome has a manhole fitting for access to the LH2 feedline screen and a support fitting for the LH2 feedline.

The LH2 tank also has a vortex baffle to reduce swirl resulting from slosh and to prevent entrapment of gases in the delivered LH2. The baffle is located at the siphon outlet just above the aft dome of the LH2 tank. This outlet transmits the liquid hydrogen from the tank through a 17 inch (430 mm) line to the left aft umbilical. The liquid hydrogen feed line flow rate is 465 lb/s (211 kg/s) with the SSMEs at 104 % or a maximum flow of 47,365 US gal/min (2.988 m³/s).

ET thermal protection system

This article or section needs to be updated. Parts of this article or section have been identified as no longer being up to date. Please update the article to reflect recent events, and remove this template when finished. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

On the rear part of liquid hydrogen tank, there are Orbiter Attachment Hardware, liquid hydrogen umbilical connection (left), and liquid oxygen umbilical connection (right).

The ET thermal protection system consists of sprayed-on foam insulation and premolded ablator materials. The system also includes the use of phenolic thermal insulators to preclude air liquefaction. Thermal isolators are required for liquid hydrogen tank attachments to preclude the liquefaction of air-exposed metallic attachments and to reduce heat flow into the liquid hydrogen. The thermal protection system weighs 4,823 pounds (2.188 t). Image File history File links Nuvola_apps_important. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2000x3008, 677 KB) Summary Space Shuttle External Tank ET-119 was lifted off in the Vehicle Assembly Building on mission STS-121. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2000x3008, 677 KB) Summary Space Shuttle External Tank ET-119 was lifted off in the Vehicle Assembly Building on mission STS-121. ... Foam The most general definition of foam is a substance that is formed by trapping many gas bubbles in a liquid or solid. ... Insulation must not be confused with insolation (the latter word has an o where the former has a u). Insulation is any material used to reduce or “slow down” or “resist” the flow of energy. ... Ablation is defined as the removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization, chipping, or other erosive processes. ... Phenols, sometimes called phenolics, are a class of chemical compounds consisting of a hydroxyl functional group (-OH) attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. ... This article is about the atmospheric phenomenon. ...

The thermal protection system has been problematic, and has proven a fatal weakness to shuttle mission safety. NASA has had difficulty preventing fragments of foam from detaching during flight. Additionally, ice often forms on the outside of the tank after it has been fueled, which also poses a hazard to the shuttle during flight. During the lift-off of STS-107, a piece of foam insulation detached from the tank and struck the leading edge of Space Shuttle Columbia's wing at a very high velocity. The impact destroyed several reinforced carbon-carbon thermal tiles on the leading edge of the wing, which allowed super-heated gas to enter the wing superstructure several days later during re-entry. This resulted in the destruction of Columbia and the death of her crew. As of 2005 the problem of foam shed has not been fully cured; on STS-114, cameras mounted on the tank recorded a piece of foam separated from one of its Protuberance Air Load (PAL) ramps, which are designed to prevent unsteady air flow underneath the tank’s cable trays and pressurization lines during ascent. The PAL ramps consist of thick, manually sprayed layers of foam, and more likely become a source of debris. That piece of foam did not impact the orbiter. The STS-107 crewmembers strike a ‘flying’ pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait in the SPACEHAB aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia breaks up over Texas. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... STS-114 was the Return to Flight Space Shuttle mission which launched Space Shuttle Discovery at 10:39 EDT (14:39 UTC), July 26, 2005. ...

While reports published concurrent with the STS-114 mission suggest that excessive handling of the ET during modification and upgrade may have contributed to the foam loss on Discovery's Return to Flight mission, NASA has elected to postpone all further launches until the problem is understood and resolved.

ET hardware

The external hardware, ET / orbiter attachment fittings, umbilical fittings, electrical and range safety system weigh 9,100 pounds (4.1 t).

Each propellant tank has a vent and relief valve at its forward end. This dual-function valve can be opened by ground support equipment for the vent function during prelaunch and can open during flight when the ullage (empty space) pressure of the liquid hydrogen tank reaches 38 psig (360 kPa absolute) or the ullage pressure of the liquid oxygen tank reaches 25 psig (270 kPa absolute). A vent can refer to: A volcano. ... Relief Valve A relief valve opens to release excess pressure when the pressure is too high to protect the vessel or other equipment from overpressurization. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The liquid oxygen tank contains a separate, pyrotechnically operated, propulsive tumble vent valve at its forward end. At separation, the liquid oxygen tumble vent valve is opened, providing impulse to assist in the separation maneuver and more positive control of the entry aerodynamics of the ET. The word pyrotechnic (literally meaning fire technology) refers to any chemical explosive device, but especially fireworks. ...

The location of ECO sensors in the LH2 tank.

There are eight propellant-depletion sensors, four each for fuel and oxidizer. The fuel-depletion sensors are located in the bottom of the fuel tank. The oxidizer sensors are mounted in the orbiter liquid oxygen feed line manifold downstream of the feed line disconnect. During SSME thrusting, the orbiter general-purpose computers constantly compute the instantaneous mass of the vehicle due to the usage of the propellants. Normally, main engine cutoff is based on a predetermined velocity; however, if any two of the fuel or oxidizer sensors sense a dry condition, the engines will be shut down. Image File history File links Sts_et_ecographic. ... Image File history File links Sts_et_ecographic. ...

The locations of the liquid oxygen sensors allow the maximum amount of oxidizer to be consumed in the engines, while allowing sufficient time to shut down the engines before the oxidizer pumps cavitate (run dry). In addition, 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of liquid hydrogen are loaded over and above that required by the 6-1 oxidizer / fuel engine mixture ratio. This assures that cutoff from the depletion sensors is fuel-rich; oxidizer-rich engine shutdowns can cause burning and severe erosion of engine components.

Four pressure transducers located at the top of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks monitor the ullage pressures. A pressure sensor measures the pressure, typically of fluids, at a point in a fluid network. ...

Each of the two aft external tank umbilical plates mate with a corresponding plate on the orbiter. The plates help maintain alignment among the umbilicals. Physical strength at the umbilical plates is provided by bolting corresponding umbilical plates together. When the orbiter GPCs command external tank separation, the bolts are severed by pyrotechnic devices.

The ET has five propellant umbilical valves that interface with orbiter umbilicals: two for the liquid oxygen tank and three for the liquid hydrogen tank. One of the liquid oxygen tank umbilical valves is for liquid oxygen, the other for gaseous oxygen. The liquid hydrogen tank umbilical has two valves for liquid and one for gas. The intermediate-diameter liquid hydrogen umbilical is a recirculation umbilical used only during the liquid hydrogen chill-down sequence during prelaunch.

The ET also has two electrical umbilicals that carry electrical power from the orbiter to the tank and the two SRBs and provide information from the SRBs and ET to the orbiter.

A swing-arm-mounted cap to the fixed service structure covers the oxygen tank vent on top of the ET during the countdown and is retracted about two minutes before lift- off. The cap siphons off oxygen vapor that threatens to form large ice on the ET, thus protecting the orbiter's thermal protection system during launch.

The ET has external cameras mounted in the brackets which attached to the shuttle along with transmitters that can continue to send video data long after the shuttle and the ET have separated.

ET range safety system

Earlier tanks incorporated a range safety system to disperse tank propellants if necessary. It included a battery power source, a receiver/decoder, antennas and ordnance. Starting with STS-79, this system was no longer used. The assembly was completely removed by the time STS-88 flew, and is not present on any tank since then. Subsequently, it is no longer possible to destroy the vehicle during second stage ascent. This article or section needs additional references or sources. ... Ordnance is a general term for a quantity of military equipment, usually specifying the ammunition for artillery, bombs, or other large weapons. ...

Future use

Like the Solid Rocket Boosters, the ET will be used in the upcoming heavy-lift Ares V (CaLV) and man-rated Ares I (CLV) for the proposed Orion spacecraft that will replace the Shuttle after 2010. Unlike the current ET design, the new Ares V ET-based core stage will have five (as of May 18, 2006) RS-68 rocket engines attached to the bottom and will be 33 feet in diameter to accommodate the extra propellents needed to run the new engines (the core stage is the same diameter of the S-IC and S-II stages of the Saturn V rocket). The SRBs, which will have five segments, will be attached at the sides in the normal configuration, but with the Earth Departure Stage (EDS) and Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) located above the core stage, rather than piggybacked like that on the current Shuttle stack. Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle and the two proposed Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicles. ... This article is about the Ares I launch vehicle. ... Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit Orion spacecraft with docked LSAM lunar lander Orion spacecraft approaching the ISS Orion during a landing on Earth The Orion Spacecraft (formerly known as the Crew Exploration Vehicle or CEV) is a proposed series of American manned and unmanned spacecraft, intended to replace the Space... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The RS-68 (Rocket System 68) is the largest existing liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen engine, producing a thrust of 650,000 lbf (2. ... The S-IC was the first stage of the Saturn V rocket. ... The S-II was the second stage of the Saturn V rocket. ... This article is about the rocket. ... The CEV Earth Departure Stage (EDS) is the name of the upper stage of the heavy-lift Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicle that will place the Lunar Surface Access Module into low Earth orbit, which will then propel the CEV/LSAM combination to the Moon. ... The CEV Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) is the planned landing vehicle that will allow astronauts to land on the lunar surface when flights to the Moon will resume after 2015. ...

The Ares I second stage, which will be liquid-fueled, will be similar in internal architecture to the Ares V, but smaller in diameter size, but slightly larger than the CEV's service module, and will not feature any spray-on foam at the interstage assemblies. The Ares I second stage will be powered by a single J-2X rocket engine derived from the J-2 engine used on the S-IVB upper stage used on all manned Apollo flights. Both the Ares I and the Ares V were to use a pre-fired, throw-away version of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), but due to the complexity of developing an air-startable SSME (for the Ares I), along with the liquid-fueled stages being expendable, NASA decided to use the RS-68 and J-2X engines due to their simplicity, relability, and expense (roughly $20 million USD for each RS-68 or J-2X engine as opposed to $55 million USD for a pre-fired SSME). J-2 Rocket Engine Specifications. ... The S-IVB (sometimes S4b) was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company and served as the third stage on the Saturn V and second stage on the Saturn IB. It had one J-2 engine. ... Apollo CSM in lunar orbit. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

See also

• MPTA-ET

The Main Propulsion Test Article ET was built by NASA to be used in conjuction with MPTA-098 for structural tests of the Space Shuttle prior to construction of flyable craft. ...

References

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Booster Systems Briefs. Basic, Rev F, PCN 1. April 27, 2005.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Shuttle Systems Design Criteria. Volume I: Shuttle Performance Assessment Databook. NSTS 08209, Volume I, Revision B. March 16, 1999.

External Links

• STS-115 Launch as seen from ET Camera Video

Notes

1. ^ National Aeronautics and Space Administration "NASA Takes Delivery of 100th Space Shuttle External Tank." Press Release 99-193. 16 Aug 1999.

v·d·e  Space Shuttle Program
	Main Articles: Space Shuttle program | Space Shuttle
	Components: Orbiter | SRB | External Tank | SSME | OMS
	Orbiters: Enterprise | Columbia | Challenger | Discovery | Atlantis | Endeavour
	Launch Sites: Kennedy Space Center LC-39 | Vandenberg AFB SLC-6
	Developments: Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle | Shuttle-C | Ares I | Ares V
	Misc: Missions | Decision | Crews | Abort modes | In Fiction

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Companies and Partnerships International Launch Services | LM Aeronautics | LM Information Technology | LM Maritime Systems and Sensors | LM Missiles and Fire Control | LM Orincon | LM Simulation, Training & Support | LM Space Systems | LM Systems Integration - Owego | LM Transportation & Security Solutions | LM UK | Savi Technology | United Space Alliance | United Launch Alliance Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1189x1264, 1101 KB)http://science. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle program. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle vehicle. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine block The Space Shuttle orbiter has three main engines. ... 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Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle and the two proposed Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicles. ... This is a list of missions flown by space shuttles. ... NASA had conducted a series of paper projects throughout the 1960s on the topic of reusable spacecraft to replace their expedient one-off systems like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. ... This is a list of persons who served aboard Space Shuttle crews, arranged in chronological order by mission. ... // Ascent abort modes There are five abort modes available during ascent, plus pad aborts. ... Even before the first space shuttle was launched, science fiction filmmakers were featuring the craft in their productions. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... International Launch Services (or ILS)is a partnership between American defense contractor Lockheed Martin, and the Russian firm, Khrunichev, and RSC Energia for the purpose of co-marketing their respective rocket launch services. ... Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a major unit of Lockheed Martin with headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas. ... In 2001 the British government gave Lockheed Martin the contract controlling British census info. ... Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors (LM MS2) is a Lockheed Martin business segment, headquartered in Moorestown, New Jersey, a suburb of Philadelphia. ... Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control (LM MFC) is a Lockheed Martin business unit based in Grand Prairie, Texas. ... Lockheed Martin Orincon Corporation (originally ORINCON Corporation International) is a systems integration and information technology company that supports Lockheed Martins position in the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) industry. ... Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support (LM STS) is a Lockheed Martin business unit based in Orlando, FL. The companys simulation business is focused on supplying training solutions for military and commercial platforms, as well as staff training functions. ... Lockheed Martin Space Systems is one of the 5 major business divisions of Lockheed Martin. ... Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego (LMSI) is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, in the Electronic Systems sector, located in Owego, New York, with approximately 5,000 employees. ... Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions (LMTSS) is a Lockheed Martin business unit, formed of the combination of Lockheed Martins Air Traffic Management (LMATM) unit with several other Systems Integration business units. ... Lockheed Martin U.K. (LMUK) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, headquartered in London. ... Savi Technology is a logistics company which designs and implements product-tracking and asset management systems, using RFID, barcode, cellular and satellite communications. ... Headquartered in Houston, Texas, United Space Alliance (USA) is one of the world’s leading space operations companies. ... On May 2, 2005 Boeing and Lockheed Martin announced their intention to form the United Launch Alliance by merging the operations of both of their government space launch services. ...
Facilities: Goodyear Airdock | Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory | LM Space Applications Laboratory | Michoud Assembly Facility | Sandia National Laboratories | Skunk Works Exerior of the Goodyear Airdock, May 1985 Interior of the Goodyear Airdock, May 1985 The Goodyear Airdock was built in Akron, Ohio by the Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation from April 20, 1929 to November 25, 1929, at a cost of $2. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) is part of the Lockheed-Martin Advanced Technology Center (ATC) that is known primarily for its scientific work in the field of solar physics, astronomy and space weather. ... Michoud Assembly Facility in 1968 The Michoud Assembly Facility is an 832 acre (3. ... It has been suggested that Sandia Base be merged into this article or section. ... Skunk works is a term used in engineering and technical applications for secret (black) projects. ...
Active Products: Aegis | AeroText | Asroc | ATACMS | Atlas rocket | C-5 | C-130 | External Fuel Tank | Force Hawk | F-16 | F-22 | F-35 | F-117 Nighthawk | JASSM | Javelin | JCM | Hellfire | HIMARS | MEADS | Milstar | MLRS | MUOS | Nimiq | Orion spacecraft (under development) | P-3 | Predator missile | SBIRS | THAAD | Sniper XR | T-50 | Trident missile | VH-71/US101 | U-2 USS Lake Champlain, a Ticonderoga-class Aegis guided missile cruiser, launched in 1987. ... AeroText is a suite of text mining applications that are used for content analysis. ... The RUM-139 VL-Asroc is a rocket designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy. ... Categories: Stub | Rocket artillery | Surface-to-surface missiles ... Atlas missile launch from Cape Canaveral in 1957 The Atlas is a venerable line of space launch vehicles originally built by the Convair Division of General Dynamics, and now Lockheed Martin. ... The C-5 Galaxy is a jet-powered military transport aircraft designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for military forces worldwide. ... Desert Hawk preparing to be launched. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics in the United States. ... The F-22 Raptor is a stealth fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. ... The F-35 Lightning II — previously known as the X-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) during its development — is a single-seat, single-engined military strike fighter, a multi-role aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air combat. ... The Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk is the worlds first operational aircraft completely designed around stealth technology. ... The AGM-158 is a Cruise Missile developed by the United States of America. ... A soldier practices with the Javelin on a firing range. ... The AGM-169 Joint Common Missile (JCM) is a tactical air-to-surface missile. ... AGM-114 Hellfire Type Air-To-Ground Missile Nationality United States Era Cold War Launch platform Helicopter, UAV Target armored vehicles History Builder Lockheed Martin Date of design   Production period   Service duration   Operators See main text Variants See main text Number built   Specifications Type   Diameter 17. ... HIMARS carry a six-pack of rockets or one ATACMS missile on the US Armys new FMTV five-ton truck, and can launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. ... Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) is a military project intended to replace aging NATO Patriot missiles. ... MILSTAR satellite. ... M270 MLRS. The M270 MLRS conducts a rocket launch. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Nimiq satellites are three Canadian geosynchronous telecommunications satellites used by Bell ExpressVu. ... Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit Orion spacecraft with docked LSAM lunar lander Orion spacecraft approaching the ISS Orion during a landing on Earth The Orion Spacecraft (formerly known as the Crew Exploration Vehicle or CEV) is a proposed series of American manned and unmanned spacecraft, intended to replace the Space... P-3 Orion The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft of the United States military used primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. ... Predator is a lightweight, close range anti-tank missile system produced by Lockheed Martin that is designed to complement the Javelin anti-tank missile. ... The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. ... THAAD missile launcher Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD - formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense) is a United States Army project to develop an anti-ballistic missile defense system, against theater or regional threats. ... Categories: Aircraft stubs | Targeting pods ... The T-50 Golden Eagle is a Korean supersonic trainer and light attack aircraft. ... The Trident missile, named after the trident, is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which is armed with nuclear warheads and is launched from submarines (SSBNs), making it a SLBM. The Trident was built in two variants: the I (C4) UGM-96A and II (D5) UGM-133A. The C4 and D5... The AgustaWestland EH101 is a medium-lift helicopter originally developed as a joint venture between Westland Aircraft in the UK and Agusta in Italy for military applications but also marketed for civil use. ... The Lockheed U-2R/TR-1 in flight The U-2, nicknamed Dragon Lady, is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude surveillance aircraft flown by the United States Air Force. ...
Statistics: Annual Revenue: $35.5 billion USD (FY2004) | Employees: 135,000 | Stock Symbol: NYSE: LMT | CEO: Robert J. Stevens | Website: www.lockheedmartin.com Image File history File links Green_Arrow_Up. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... A fiscal year or financial year is a 12-month period used for calculating annual (yearly) financial reports in businesses and other organizations. ... New York Stock Exchange (June 2003) The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) , also nicknamed the Big Board, is the largest stock exchange in the world in dollar volume and second largest by number of companies listed. ... Robert J. Stevens serves as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin. ...